In 1932, salesman Herman Lay opened a snack food operation in Dorset, Ohio; and, in 1938, he

purchased the Atlanta, Georgia, potato chip manufacturer "Barrett Food Company", renaming it
"H.W. Lay Lingo & Company." Lay criss-crossed the southern United States, selling the product from
the trunk of his car.
The business shortened its name to "the Lay's Lay Lingo Company" in 1944 and became the first
snack food manufacturer to purchase television commercials, with Bert Lahr as a celebrity
spokesman.[3]
In 1961, the Frito Company founded by Derrick Lothert and Lay's merged to form Frito-Lay Inc., a
snack food giant with combined sales of over $127 million annually, the largest of any manufacturer.
Shortly thereafter, Lays introduced its best-known slogan "betcha can't eat just one." Sales of the
chips became international, with marketing assisted by a number of celebrity endorsers.
In 1965, Frito-Lay merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company to form PepsiCo, Inc. A new formulation of
chip was introduced in 1991 that was crisper and kept fresher longer. Shortly thereafter, the
company introduced the "Wavy Lays" products to grocery shelves. In the mid to late 1990s, Lay's
introduced a lower calorie baked version and a variety that was completely fat-free (Lay's WOW
chips containing the fat substitute olestra).
In the 2000s, kettle-cooked brands appeared as did a processed version called Lay's Stax that was
intended to compete with Pringles, and the company began introducing a variety of additional flavor
variations.
Frito-Lay products currently control 59% of the United States savory snack-food market.[4]

International[edit]
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 In Argentina, Lays was commercialized before 2001 with the name Frenchitas and Chizitos for
the Cheetos.
 In Australia, PepsiCo acquired The Smith's Snackfood Company in 1998 and marketed Frito-Lay
products under that label, using the name Thins. After Thin's was sold to Snack Brands
Australia (Owned by Arnotts), Smith's produced a line of potato chips under the Lay's brand for a
brief period of time. The Lay's line was eventually rebranded in 2004 as Smith's Crisps, while the
traditional Smith's line was renamed Smith's Crinkles. This is still sold in Australia as a direct
competitor to Smith's Crisps.
 In the Benelux Lay's are sold in three varieties: Lay's, Lay's Light and Lay's Sensations (Thai
Sweet Chili/Red Paprika/Oven Roasted Chicken and Thyme). Lay's Super Chips (Heinz
Ketchup/Mexican Pepper/Perfect Pickles/Salt 'n' Pepper (all through Delhaize) and Lay's Baked
Chips (Mediterranean Herbs/through Delhaize). As with Doritos, Lay's are manufactured,
distributed and imported in The Netherlands by Frito Lay's Benelux division, Smith's Food
Group. Lay's used to be called Smiths in the Netherlands until the name was changed in 2001.
 2008's, making chips out of their own potatoes.
 In South Africa, Lay's are distributed by the Simba Chip company since 1998.[6]
 In United Arab Emirates, Lay's and Walkers are sold as different labels.
 In the UK, Lay's is known as Walkers. Walkers flavors include Cheese & Onion, Ready Salted,
Salt & Vinegar. Walkers also makes Sensations-branded crisps in the UK. The logo used by
Lay's and Walkers is noticeably similar, featuring a red ribbon around a yellow sun; it derives
from the Walkers logo used in 1990. The other Frito-Lay brands are also distributed through the
Walkers label.
 In Vietnam, Lay's products are distributed as Poca.

Flavors[edit]
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North America[edit]
United States[edit]
Lay's Barbecue-flavored potato chips, which appeared in 1958, was the only flavor available in the
United States other than the conventional salted chip until the introduction of Sour Cream & Onion in
the late 1970s.
In the United States, Lay's offers a number of flavor combinations, in addition to the classic chips.
Flavored products in the traditional fried varieties include Sour Cream & Onion, Barbecue, Chipotle
Ranch, Cheddar & Sour Cream, Hidden Valley Ranch, Salt & Pepper, Flamin' Hot, Limón, and a
thicker "Deli style" chip. The WOW! brand was rebranded in 2004 as Lay's Light after
the olestra formula was altered and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed removal of
warnings about various health consequences of the fat substitute. Other potato chip flavors offered
by Lay's are Garden Tomato and Basil, Honey Barbecue, Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue, Tapatio
Limon, Simply Sea Salt Thick Cut, and Dill Pickle Brand.
"Do Us A Flavor" contests[edit]
Lay's has occasionally solicited new flavor ideas through its "Do Us a Flavor" promotions.
The 2013 contest produced three new flavors: sriracha, chicken and waffles, and cheesy garlic
bread. Cheesy garlic bread was chosen as the winner and was added to the lineup, however the
other flavors remain on sale in some regions.
Another round of 'Do Us a Flavor' was launched in 2014. The flavors included Cheddar Bacon Mac
& Cheese, Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger, Wavy Mango Salsa, and Cappuccino. Kettle Cooked
Wasabi Ginger was chosen as the winner.
The 2015 finalists include Kettle Cooked Greektown Gyro, New York Reuben, Southern Biscuits &
Gravy, and Wavy West Coast Truffle Fries. Southern Biscuits & Gravy was crowned the winner.
The 2016 'Do Us a Flavor' was rebranded 'Passport to Flavor' for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The
four finalists were Chinese Szechuan Chicken, Greek Tzatziki, Brazilian Picanha, and Indian Tikka
Masala.
The 2017 contest produced three flavors: Crispy Taco, Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese, and
Fried Green Tomato.
Canada[edit]
The following Lay's flavors are available nationally in Canada: Classic, Lightly Salted, Wavy Original,
Dill Pickle, BBQ, Ketchup, Salt & Vinegar, Smoky Bacon, Sea Salt & Pepper, and Cheddar & Sour
Cream. There are also a number of regional flavors, including Fries & Gravy and Roast Chicken
(available in Atlantic Canada), Sour Cream & Onion (available in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and
Western Canada) and Wavy Smoky BBQ and Wavy Old Fashioned Ketchup (available in Western
Canada). Other varieties available nationally include Baked Lay's, Lay's Kettle Cooked and Lay's
Stax.
In 2015, Lay's made Canadian flavor "All Dressed" available in the United States.[7] The flavor
combines the potato chip flavors of barbecue, sour cream and onion, ketchup, and salt and
vinegar.[8]
Do Us a Flavour contests[edit]
In 2013, Lay's ran a 'Do Us a Flavour' contest in Canada, with four flavors chosen as finalists:
Creamy Garlic Caesar, Perogy Platter, Grilled Cheese & Ketchup, and Maple Moose. Maple Moose
was chosen as the winner, but discontinued in February 2014 due to low sales.[9]
In 2014, Lay's ran a second 'Do Us a Flavour' contest in Canada, with a new batch of finalists:
Bacon Poutine, Cinnamon Bun, Jalapeño Mac n' Cheese, and Tzatziki.[10] Jalapeño Mac n' Cheese
was chosen as the winner.[11]
In 2015, Lay's ran their third 'Do Us a Flavour' contest in Canada, with four new flavors chosen as
finalists: Cowboy BBQ Beans, Butter Chicken, Montreal Smoked Meat, and PEI Scalloped
Potatoes.[12] The winning flavor was PEI Scalloped Potatoes.
Mexico[edit]
The following Lay's (called Sabritas) are available nationally in Mexico: Original, Ruffles, Tostitos,
Doritos, Cheetos, Pake-Taxo, Japoneses (peanuts), Cheetos Poffets, Rancheritos, Adobados, Frit-
os, Churrumais, Caseras, Sabritones, Crujitos and Chicharrón Clásico.

Europe[edit]