History Of Chili Cheese Fritos: A Snack Time Favorite

Fritos have been a popular snack for many years, but how long have the Chili Cheese variety been around? The Fritos brand was created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin and has been produced since 1961 by the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo. The Chili Cheese variety of Fritos was introduced in the mid-1980s, offering a new flavor option with the pairing of chili in mind.

Fritos were created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin

Doolin was fascinated by the concept of corn chips, which were incredibly popular on the beaches of Mexico. He purchased the rights to the recipe and the customer list and set about perfecting the recipe, ultimately leading to the Fritos corn chips we know today. Doolin knew that the recipe had to start with great corn, so he worked with Texas farmers to plant a huge array of corn varieties until he landed on the perfect type for his chips.

The Fritos brand has come a long way since its early days in Doolin's mother's kitchen. By 1933, production had increased tenfold to about 100 pounds of Fritos per day, and by 1934, the company had expanded into plants in Dallas and Tulsa. The Doolin family's dedication to creating a unique and delicious snack paid off, and by the 1950s, the Frito Company owned more than 50 manufacturing facilities worldwide and had licensed franchises nationwide.

Over the years, the Frito Company continued to innovate and expand its product line, introducing new flavours and styles of Fritos, as well as creating brand new products such as Cheetos Puffs. The company also had several memorable mascots over the years, including the Frito Kid, the Frito Bandito, and W.C. Fritos, modelled after comedian W.C. Fields.

Today, Fritos are enjoyed by snack lovers all over the world and are known for their curvy shape, salty exterior, and strong crunch. The brand has introduced a variety of flavours, including the ever-loved Fritos Chili Cheese, which debuted in the mid-1980s, offering a flavour profile that pairs perfectly with chili. Fritos have become a versatile snack, complementing Friday night movie nights, packed lunches, and even serving as a makeshift meal when topped with chili and cheese.

The Fritos Company expanded rapidly, owning over 50 manufacturing facilities by 1955

The Fritos Company, founded by Charles Elmer Doolin, experienced rapid expansion in its early years. By 1933, just a year after its founding, Doolin had increased production by tenfold, producing about 100 pounds of Fritos per day. This growth continued, and by 1934, the company had expanded into plants in Dallas and Tulsa. In 1947, the company had plants in Los Angeles and Denver and had licensed franchises nationwide, including H.W. Lay and Company, which had exclusive rights to produce and sell Fritos in the Southeastern United States.

The Fritos Company continued its expansion into the 1950s, and by 1955, it owned over 50 manufacturing facilities worldwide, including locations in Hawaii and Venezuela. The company also established "Frito farms" across Texas, where Doolin grew corn and other crops for use in his products. This rapid growth was fuelled by the increasing popularity of Fritos as a snack food and the company's ability to mass-produce its products using assembly line production techniques.

In addition to expanding its manufacturing capabilities, the Fritos Company also introduced new products and flavours during this period. For example, in the mid-1950s, the company opened a Casa de Fritos restaurant in Disneyland, which featured a Mexican theme and offered dishes with Fritos as a key ingredient. The company also began producing other snack foods, such as Cheetos Puffs, alongside its original Fritos line.

The success of the Fritos Company during this time can be attributed to Doolin's dedication to his company and products. He was known to experiment with new ideas and flavours, often using his family as taste testers. Doolin's focus on expansion and innovation laid the foundation for the Fritos Company to become one of the world's largest producers of snack foods.

Fritos merged with Lay's in 1961 to become Frito-Lay

Fritos have been around for over 80 years, with the company tracing its roots back to the Great Depression. In 1932, Charles E. Doolin founded The Frito Company, selling Fritos corn chips for a nickel. A few years later, in 1939, travelling salesman Herman Lay launched H.W. Lay & Company, selling potato chips by the bag.

These two regional firms, The Frito Company and H.W. Lay & Company, combined in 1961 to form the mighty Frito-Lay corporation, which went on to create popular snacks like Doritos, Cheetos, and Lay's. At the time of the merger, the company's annual revenue totalled $127 million, largely generated from sales of its four main brands: Fritos, Lay's, Cheetos, and Ruffles.

Frito-Lay, Inc. continued to expand and innovate, introducing new snack food brands in the 1960s and 1970s, including Doritos (1966), Funyuns (1969), and Munchos (1971). In 1965, Frito-Lay, Inc. merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company, resulting in the formation of PepsiCo, Inc. Since then, Frito-Lay has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiCo.

Chili Cheese Fritos, specifically, were introduced in 1986, and are considered a game-changer by many. The Fritos brand has continued to innovate and release new flavours over the years, including Flamin' Hot, Chili Cheese, and Classic Ranch.

Fritos Chili Cheese flavour was introduced in the mid-1980s

Fritos are an American brand of corn chips that were created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin. The Fritos brand has since expanded to include a line of cheese sauces and bean dips. The Frito Company was born in 1932 at the height of the Great Depression. Doolin, who was 28 at the time, wanted to add a salty snack to the repertoire of his family's business, the Highland Park Confectionary in San Antonio. He responded to an ad in the San Antonio Express, which was placed by Gustavo Olguin, listing an original recipe for fried corn chips, along with an adapted potato ricer and 19 retail accounts. Doolin bought the small business venture for $100, and began to manufacture the chips in his mother’s kitchen with the help of his family.

Over the years, the Fritos brand has introduced a variety of flavours, including Spicy Jalapeño, Honey BBQ, and Flamin' Hot. However, one of the most iconic flavours to date is the Fritos Chili Cheese flavour, which was introduced in the mid-1980s. This flavour combines the taste of chili and cheese, creating a savoury snack with a delicious crunch. The release of the Fritos Chili Cheese flavour was a game-changer for many fans of the snack, and it remains a popular choice today.

The Fritos brand has continued to innovate and expand its product line, with Fritos Scoops being introduced in the early 1990s, providing even more surface area for dips and sauces. The brand has also experimented with different shapes, such as Fritos Twists and Fritos Hoops, offering a range of textures and flavours to cater to diverse consumer preferences. The popularity of Fritos has endured for decades, and it remains an iconic snack food that is enjoyed by people of all ages.

Fritos are gluten-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians

Chili Cheese Fritos were introduced in 1986, and they have been a popular snack ever since. Fritos are corn chips made by deep-frying extruded whole cornmeal, and they come in various flavours. The original flavour is made from corn, corn oil, and salt, and is gluten-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Frito-Lay, the company that produces Fritos, has confirmed that the following types of Fritos are gluten-free:

• Fritos Lightly Salted Corn Chips
• Fritos Original Corn Chips
• Fritos SCOOPS! Corn Chips

These varieties do not contain gluten ingredients, and they are safe for people with celiac disease. However, other flavours of Fritos, such as Chili BBQ, are not gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination. Therefore, it is always important to read the labels and check with the manufacturer if you are unsure.

Fritos are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed on their own or used in recipes like Fritos dessert bars, chocolate-dipped Fritos, and Fritos Breaded Chicken. They are also a popular ingredient in dishes like Fritos Chili Pie and Subway's Fritos Chicken Enchilada Melt.

Fritos have been a beloved snack for decades, and their simplicity, unique taste, and versatility have contributed to their enduring popularity.

Frequently asked questions