**Company History and Growth:**
– Stacy Madison and Mark Andrus founded Stacy’s Pita Chips in 1996 in Boston, Massachusetts.
– Initially selling pita bread sandwiches, they transitioned to producing pita chips in 1999.
– The business saw significant growth, with sales reaching $65 million in 2005.
– PepsiCo acquired Stacy’s Pita Chips in 2005 for $243 million.
– Samples were given out in local stores to promote the brand’s products.
– The introduction of a custom conveyor belt oven in 1999 facilitated growth and wholesale purchases.
– Multiple acquisition offers were received before PepsiCo’s acquisition.
**Product Lines and Nutrition Facts:**
– Stacy’s Pita Chips offers various product lines, including Pita Chips, Pita Thins, Cheese Petites, Bagel Chips, and Organic Pita Chips.
– Different flavors are available within each product line, such as Simply Naked, Parmesan Garlic & Herb, and more.
– The nutrition facts vary across products, with Stacys Pita Chips, Pita Thins, and Organic Pita Chips having 190 calories per serving, while Cheese Petites have 150 calories, and Bagel Chips contain 130 calories per serving.
**Recalls and Controversies:**
– In February 2019, 228 bags of Simply Naked Pita Chips were recalled due to allergic reactions related to dairy ingredients.
– Stacy’s Pita Chips faced controversies, including a severe allergic reaction incident.
– The brand has been involved in legal cases like Leonard v. Pepsico, Inc.
**Brands under PepsiCo and Partnerships:**
– Stacy’s Pita Chips is owned by PepsiCo, which also owns brands like North American Van Lines, Wilson Sporting Goods, and Yum! Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell).
– Stacy’s Pita Chips has partnerships, including a 49% ownership in Ekaterra for production and a license for fruit juices.
– The brand has been associated with the Pepsiman character and distributed outside the U.S.
**Marketing, Advertising, and Recognition:**
– Stacy’s Pita Chips is commonly distributed and recognized, with marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
– The brand has been featured in Pepsi-Cola signages and campaigns like ‘Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?’
– Recognized as a prominent snack brand, Stacy’s Pita Chips is associated with healthy snack options and falls under the food products category.
Stacy's Pita Chips is an American brand of snack products based in Randolph, Massachusetts, specializing in various flavors of pita chips. Pita chips are slices of pita bread which are baked until crunchy. They are commonly eaten as a snack and come in a variety of flavors including Simply Naked (flavored only with sea salt), Cinnamon Sugar, and Garlic Parmesan among others. Stacy's also makes other crunchy snacks such as Pita Thins, Cheese Petites, and Bagel Chips.
| Industry | Food Industry |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder |
|
| Parent | PepsiCo |
Stacy's Pita Chips was founded by Stacy Madison and her now ex-husband Mark Andrus in 1996, originally giving the pita chips away for free at their food cart to keep customers happy while waiting in line. In 2006, Stacy's Pita Chips reached US$65 million in revenue and was sold to PepsiCo where it now operates under the Frito-Lay division.