Although the products are consolidated under a common Lay's brand in most countries, some markets use their own names such as these
Lay's (/leɪz/, LAYZ) is a brand of potato chips that has a range of different flavors that are sold in North America and various other countries across the rest of the world. It was the surname of the founder of the company originally formed in 1938 to produce potato chips. The brand is also referred to as Frito-Lay, as both Lay's and Fritos are brands sold by the Frito-Lay company. The company has been a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiCo since the merger with Pepsi in 1965. Frito-Lay uses the brand name "Lay's" in the United States and Canada. While PepsiCo also uses the brand name "Lay's" outside of North America, PepsiCo also uses other brand names such as Walkers in the UK and Ireland, and Smith's in Australia.[1]
In 1961, the Frito Company, founded by Charles E. Doolin, merged with Lay’s, forming Frito-Lay Inc., a snack food giant with combined sales of over $127 million annually, which was then the highest sales revenue earned by any manufacturer. Shortly thereafter, Lay's introduced what became 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. Annual revenues for Frito-Lay exceeded $180 million by 1965, when the company had more than 8,000 employees and 46 manufacturing plants.[3]
In 1965, Frito-Lay merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company to form PepsiCo, Inc. In 1991, the company introduced a new formulation of their chip that was crispier and kept fresher for longer. Shortly thereafter, the company introduced the "Lay's Wavy" products to grocery shelves, with a national rollout in 1994.[4] In the mid-to-late 1990s, Lay's introduced a lower-caloriebaked variety, and a fat-free variety (Lay's WOW chips) that contained the fat substituteolestra.
In the 2000s, the company introduced "kettle-cooked" varieties, as well as a more highly processed variety (Lay's Stax) that was intended to compete with Pringles,[5] and several differently flavored varieties.
In 2012, Frito-Lay products comprised 59% of the United States savory snack-food market.[6]
In April 2019, PepsiCo's Indian subsidiary sued four farmers in Gujarat, India for copyright infringement, claiming they were growing a variety of potatoes, named FL 2027 or FC5,[7] trademarked by the company for exclusive use in its Lay's potato chips.[8][9] Two years later, the ruling was done in the farmers' favor under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001.[10]
Nutritional information
As with most snack foods, the Lay's brands contain very few vitamins and minerals. At 10% of the daily requirement per serving, vitamin C is the highest. The salt content is particularly high, with a serving containing as much as 380mg of sodium.[11]
A 1oz (28g) serving of Lay's regular potato chips has 160 kcal, and contains 10g of fat, with 1g of saturated fat.[11] Kettle-cooked brands have 7g to 8g grams of fat and 1g of saturated fat, and are 140 kcal. Lay's Natural has 9g of fat, , 2g of saturated fat and 150 kcal. Stax chips typically contain 10g of fat, 2.5g of saturated fat, and are 160 kcal per serving. Lay's Wavy are identical to the regular brand, except for a 0.5g less of saturated fat in some combinations. Lay's and various brands do not contain any trans fats.[citation needed]
A 50g serving of Lay's Barbecue chips contains 270 kcal, and 17g of fat. It also contains 270mg of sodium, and 15% of the daily recommended dose of Vitamin C.[12]
The baked variety, introduced in the mid 1990s, contains 1.5g of fat per 1oz serving, and has no saturated fat. Each serving has 110 to 120 kcal. Lay's Light servings are 75 kcal per ounce and have no fat.[13]
Lay's Classic Potato chips were cooked in hydrogenated oil until 2003.[14] In 2024, according to ET, in the United States the chips are made with sunflower, corn and/or canola oil.[15]
International
Frito-Lay primarily uses the brand name "Lay's" in the United States, and uses other brand names in some other countries, including Walkers (UK and Ireland); Smith's (Australia); Chipsy (Egypt and the West Balkans[16]); Tapuchips (Israel);[17] Margarita (Colombia); and Sabritas (Mexico).
Frito-Lay acquired The Smith's Snackfood Company in 1998, finally bring back together all arms of the former empire of Frank Smith,[19] and merged its Frito-Lay Australian business into Smiths. Lay's crisps were rebranded the name Thins.[20][21] 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 Chips, while the traditional Smith's line was renamed Smith's Crinkles. This is still sold in Australia as a direct competitor to Smith's Chips. Since 2009, Lay's have been available in Australia exclusively at Costco, where they are available in a single flavor and size (500g plain). They continue to be manufactured in Australia by Smith's.[citation needed]
Transcom Group have marketed and produced Lay's as they manage the franchise of PepsiCo in the country.[22][23] It was introduced in 2023 and Lay's India helped them to establish its production plant in Bogra District.[24]
Smiths Food Group, another former part of Frank Smith's empire, was purchased by PepsiCo in 1992, and their products were re-branded as Lays in 2001.[25]
The first attempt to sell the brand in the country was in 1999, but it was discontinued after a short time. In 2004 another brand of chips began to be sold under the name Sensações (lit. Sensations) being targeted to the older audience with more exquisite flavors.[26] It returned in 2013 and has remained on sale since then.[27][28] In 2021, the Sensações brand was renamed as Lay's Sensações.[29]
As Lay's were produced by another company at that time, the chips were known as Hostess. In 1996, Hostess was rebranded to Lay's with a television commercial featuring Mark Messier and Eric Lindros aired in 1997 that relaunched the brand.[citation needed]
Lay's was once sold under its own label until it was merged with the local label Chipsy[broken anchor] (Egyptian Arabic pronunciation:[ˈʃibsi,ˈʃipsi]).
The Lay's label is distributed in Indonesia under the name Chitato Lite after the licensing agreement between PepsiCo and Indofood had expired in 2021.[34] In March 2025, Lay's was reintroduced in Indonesia, which is currently produced by PT PepsiCo Indonesia Foods and Beverages in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, West Java,[35] is available in two flavors, Seaweed and Sweet Spicy Sauce, as well as Lay's Wavy in two flavours, Onion Fried Chicken and Grilled Beef. While PT Quaker Indonesia imported Lay's Stax from PepsiCo Thailand since January 2025 in three flavors, Original, Sour Cream & Onion, and Spicy Prawn.
PepsiCo acquired Sabritas S. de R.L. in 1966. Lay's along with other products such as Cheetos, Fritos, Doritos and Ruffles are marketed under the Sabritas brand. The logo for the Mexican company sports the red ribbon, but it has a stylized smiling face instead of the sun. It controls around 80% of the market.[36]
Lay's used to be called Smith's in Belgium and the Netherlands until the name changed to Lay's in 2001.[25] The Smith's brand persisted until 2016 when other products were also changed to Lay's.[37]
In Pakistan, Lay's has been introduced in 2007 and has been endorsed by a renowned star of the country Ali Zafar. It is owned by Frito-Lay Pakistan alongside other brands such as Cheetos, Kurkure etc.[38]
Since its acquisition of Chipsy (شيبسى[ˈʃibsi,ˈʃipsi,ˈʃebsi], shortened to [ʃebs]), Lay's chips (marketed as Chipsy) in Egypt inherited the Chipsy range of flavors as well as the pre-merger Lay's flavors. These flavors include: Salt and Vinegar, Cheese (most likely based on Rumi cheese), Seasoned Cheese, Tomato (a Ketchup-based flavor), Charcoal-grilled Kebab, Chili & Lime, Peri peri. Forno: French Cheese, Tomato & Za'atar, Crushed Black Pepper & Salt, Basil & Spices. Forno Fusion: Cumin & Lemon, Lebanese Mix, Mediterranean Greek Mix, Sweet Chili & Tangy Cheese. Playz (Discontinued): Tomato & Black Pepper, Chicken & Herbs, Cheese & Chili. Flamin' Hot: Regular Flamin' Hot, Flamin' Hot with Lime. In 2010, a Shrimp flavor was added after a national contest.[citation needed]
Lay's are made and packed by Tasty Foods and Corina Snacks LTD, with Mediterranean flavors which include Feta cheese flavor, Tzatziki, Olive and Tomato, Oregano, Sea Salt & Black Pepper, Onion & Cheese, Prawn Cocktail, Salt, Salt & Vinegar, Barbeque and various more. There are hundreds of sub-variations in the Mediterranean line adjusted to each country's liking.[citation needed]
Lay's: Classic Salted, American Style Cream & Onion, Chile Limón, India's Magic Masala, Sizzling Hot, Spanish Tomato Tango, West Indies' Hot 'n' Sweet Chilli. Lay's Crispz: Herb and Onion. Lay's Stax: Original, Cheddar Cheese, Mesquite Barbecue. Lay's Wafer Chips: Red Chilli, Salt with Pepper.[50] Lay’s Maxx: Sizzling Barbecue, Macho Chilli, Peppery Cheddar.[51] Promotions: In 2025, Lays released their latest promotion, aptly named "Flavors of the World". Flavors Mediterranean Pizza[52] and Korean Chilli[53] were released.
The flavors are Salmon Teriyaki, Classic Salty, Nori Seaweed, Pizza, Grilled Chicken Paprika, Duck's Tongue and Fiesta BBQ. It is produced by Indonesian-based PT Indofood Fritolay Makmur, a joint venture between PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur with Seven-Up Nederland B.V.[54]
Lay's potato chips are known as Sabritas in Mexico, a name which is also used for Frito-Lay brands as a whole. Sabritas: Original, Adobadas, Cream and Spices, Flamin' Hot, Lime. Sabritas Receta Crujiente: Salt, Flamin' Hot, Jalapeño, Red Chiles, Salsa Negra. Sabritas Senaciones: Dried Smoked Chiles, Manzano Chile with Lime. Sabritas Switch: Cheetos Puffs.[55]
Flavors featured are Classic, Sour Cream & Onion, Cheese & Onion, Mexican Bar-B-Q, Japanese Nori Seaweed, Basil, Squid, Spicy Chili Squid, Seafood and Mayonnaise, and Spicy Seafood. Temporary international flavors have also been introduced, such as French Mayonnaise, Balsamic Vinegar and Salt (England), Garlic Soft Shelled Crab (Hong Kong), Soy Sauce, Salmon Teriyaki (Japan), Lobster, Bacon & Cheese (America). Other traditional "Thai" flavors include Tom Yum, Thai Chili Paste, Thai Seafood Dip, Chili and Lime.[citation needed]
Lay's: Salted, Green Onion, Fromage, Paprika, Spicy Paprika, Spicy Chicken. Lay's Max Ridged: Salted, Green Onion, Paprika. Lay's Max Strong: Chilli & Lime, Cheese & Cayenne. Lay's Max Deep-Cut: Paprika, Cheese & Onion. Lay's Oven Baked: Salted, Grilled Paprika, Yoghurt with Herbs, Grilled Vegetables, Chanterelles in a Cream Sauce. Lay's Oven Baked Multigrain Crackers: Paprika with Herbs, Vegetables with Green Onion, Tomato with Basil. Lay's Bugles: Nacho Cheese, Paprika Style. Lay's Stix: Ketchup.[59]Other: Salt & Vinegar and other flavors are also available at Żabka stores.[citation needed]
Lay's: Salt, Salt & Vinegar, Chilli, Chilli-Lemon, Ketchup, French Cheese, Pizza, and Flaming Hot. Lay's Max: Chili, Cheese and Italian Blend. Lay's Forno: Authentic Cheese, Black Pepper, Lemon & Black Pepper, Labneh & Mint, Italian Mix (a spicy tomato flavor) and Za’atar.[citation needed]
Lay's: Natural Classic, Brazil BBQ Pork Rib, Nori Seaweed, Baked Prawn with Melted Cheese, Sour and Spicy Tomyum Hotpot, Hanoi Beef Pho, Seven-Spice Taiwanese Crispy Squid. Lay’s Wavy: Original Fine Salt, Texas Tenderloin Steak, Cheddar Cheese, Korean Spicy Chicken with Cheese, Hong Kong Crab XO Sauce, Lobster with Golden Salted Egg Sauce, 2-in-1 Grilled Steak & Kimchi. Lay’s Max: Sour Cream & Onion, Wagyu Beef, Truffle Mushroom, Japanese Style Seaweed. Lay's Stax (imported from Thailand and Malaysia): Original, Hot Chili Squid, Sour Cream & Onion, Spicy Lobster, Barbecue, Hot & Spicy, Wagyu Beef & Truffle, British Style Cheddar Cheese.[44]
