Think your favorite snacks are just modern pantry heroes? Think again. From crunchy chips to sweet treats that saved countless road trips, many iconic snack brands have been around for generations—some longer than you’d ever guess. While you’re grabbing that bag of pretzels or a chocolate bar at checkout, you’re holding a piece of edible history that’s seen wars, trends, and entire cultural shifts. These brands have survived everything from the Great Depression to TikTok trends, quietly aging while staying young in your lunchbox. Ready to find out just how old your favorite snack companies really are?
1. Pepperidge Farm’s Long-Standing Legacy
Started by Margaret Rudkin in 1937 as a way to create healthy bread for her allergy-prone son, Pepperidge Farm has been satisfying our snack cravings for 88 years. The company began in Rudkin’s Connecticut kitchen before growing into the powerhouse we know today.
From Milano cookies to Goldfish crackers, their treats have become American staples. Campbell Soup Company acquired the brand in 1961, but they’ve maintained their commitment to quality ingredients and distinctive flavors that make us feel nostalgic with every bite.
2. Frito-Lay’s Flavorful Journey
Born from a merger between the Frito Company and H.W. Lay & Company in 1961, Frito-Lay has been dominating the salty snack world for 64 years. The union created a snack giant that would forever change how Americans munch.
Their portfolio includes iconic brands like Doritos, Cheetos, and Lay’s potato chips. PepsiCo acquired the company in 1965, further expanding its reach.
Despite being younger than many competitors, Frito-Lay has revolutionized snacking with bold flavors and clever marketing that keeps us reaching for more.
3. Slim Jim’s Meaty History
Adolph Levis created Slim Jim in 1929, making this spicy meat stick a surprising 96 years old! The portable protein snack became a road trip and gas station staple long before modern convenience stores existed.
Originally made in Philadelphia, these savory treats gained massive popularity in the 1990s with their memorable “Snap into a Slim Jim” campaign featuring wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage.
ConAgra Foods currently owns the brand, but the distinctive flavor profile remains largely unchanged—keeping generations of snackers coming back for that familiar spicy kick.
4. Utz’s Century of Crunchy Goodness
Founded in 1921 by William and Salie Utz, who began making potato chips in their Hanover, Pennsylvania kitchen, Utz has been satisfying snack lovers for an impressive 104 years. Their first batches were cooked in small kettles and sold door-to-door.
The company remained family-operated until 2010, preserving traditional recipes while expanding their selection. Utz now produces pretzels, cheese balls, and various chip varieties.
Their distinctive red logo and commitment to quality ingredients have made them a beloved regional brand that successfully expanded nationwide without losing their small-town charm.
5. Wise’s Potato Chip Pioneer
Earl Wise Sr., a grocery store owner, started making potato chips in 1921 as a way to use excess potatoes from his store. Now 104 years later, Wise continues to be a snacking staple, particularly on the East Coast.
The company’s owl logo has become instantly recognizable, representing wisdom in snack choices. Their product line expanded beyond the original potato chips to include cheese puffs, popcorn, and tortilla chips.
Acquired by Arca Continental in 2012, Wise maintains its commitment to the distinctive flavors that have kept generations of families reaching for their bright orange bags.
6. Rold Gold’s Twisted Path to Success
Lorraine Pretzel Company launched what would become Rold Gold in 1917, making these twisted treats 108 years old! The company pioneered pretzel manufacturing techniques that transformed them from local bakery items to mass-produced snacks.
Frito-Lay acquired the brand in 1961, boosting its national presence. Remember those 1990s commercials with Jason Alexander as a pretzel-obsessed character?
Despite changing ownership, Rold Gold has maintained its original recipe and distinctive crunch. Their pretzels remain one of America’s favorite low-fat snack options, proving that sometimes the simplest recipes stand the test of time.
7. Lance Inc.’s Sandwich Cracker Revolution
Philip Lance started his company in 1913 by selling roasted peanuts on the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina. When a customer couldn’t pay, Lance accepted 500 pounds of peanuts as payment—a fortuitous exchange that launched a 112-year legacy.
The company invented the world’s first peanut butter sandwich cracker, creating a portable protein-packed snack before convenience was cool. Their iconic orange ToastChee crackers became lunchbox staples for generations.
Lance merged with Snyder’s of Hanover in 2010, forming Snyder’s-Lance, but their original products continue to satisfy hunger pangs with that perfect balance of savory and sweet.
8. Sun-Maid’s Raisin Renaissance
Founded in 1912 by California raisin growers seeking to market their sun-dried grapes, Sun-Maid has been a lunchbox favorite for 113 years. The iconic Sun-Maid girl with her red bonnet first appeared on packages in 1915 and remains one of the most recognizable food logos ever created.
Originally a cooperative of 15 farmers, the company revolutionized healthy snacking long before nutritional awareness became trendy. Their little red boxes provided natural energy before energy bars existed.
Sun-Maid has expanded beyond traditional raisins to include other dried fruits, but their commitment to simple, wholesome ingredients remains unchanged.
9. Mars Inc.’s Sweet Galaxy of Treats
Frank C. Mars started making butter cream candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen in 1911. That humble beginning evolved into the global confectionery giant we know today, making Mars an astonishing 114 years old!
The company created iconic candy bars like Milky Way (1923), Snickers (1930), and M&M’s (1941). Their innovation extended beyond chocolate to include pet food and other consumer goods.
Still family-owned after more than a century, Mars maintains a famously private business culture while producing some of the world’s most public and beloved treats that have sweetened generations of candy dishes.
10. Snyder’s of Hanover’s Pretzel Perfection
Harry V. Warehime began producing olde tyme pretzels in 1909, establishing what would become Snyder’s of Hanover. That makes these twisted treats a remarkable 116 years old!
Located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the company grew from a small bakery into America’s largest pretzel maker. Their commitment to traditional recipes and techniques has preserved authentic pretzel flavor for over a century.
Snyder’s merged with Lance in 2010 but continues to innovate with flavored pieces and gluten-free options. Their factory tours have become a popular tourist attraction, allowing visitors to witness firsthand how these beloved snacks are twisted into existence.
11. Planters’ Nutty Legacy
Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici started Planters in 1906, making this peanut powerhouse 119 years old! Obici began by selling peanuts from a cart before developing the roasting process that would make his company famous.
Mr. Peanut, their monocled mascot, debuted in 1916 after being designed by a schoolboy who won the company’s mascot contest. This dapper legume became one of advertising’s most enduring characters.
Kraft Heinz currently owns the brand, but Planters remains committed to quality nuts and snacks. Their iconic blue cans have been fixtures in American pantries for generations, providing protein-packed munchies long before health-conscious snacking became popular.
12. Nabisco’s Cookie Empire
Formed in 1898 through the merger of several bakery companies, National Biscuit Company (later shortened to Nabisco) has been satisfying sweet tooths for 127 years. Their first hit product was Uneeda Biscuits, sold in revolutionary in-package wrappers that kept crackers fresh.
Oreo cookies debuted in 1912, eventually becoming the world’s best-selling cookie. Ritz crackers followed in 1934, creating another iconic snack.
Now owned by Mondelēz International, Nabisco continues to produce beloved treats like Chips Ahoy!, Nilla Wafers, and Fig Newtons that have defined American snacking for generations of families gathering around kitchen tables.
13. Blue Bell’s Creamy Century
Blue Bell Creameries began in 1907 as the Brenham Creamery Company in tiny Brenham, Texas. For 118 years, they’ve been crafting ice cream that’s become legendary throughout the South.
Initially producing butter from excess cream, they didn’t make ice cream until 1911. The company was renamed after the Texas bluebell wildflower in 1930.
Despite remaining regional rather than national, Blue Bell has developed a cult-like following. Their commitment to quality ingredients and traditional production methods has created generations of loyal fans who consider their Homemade Vanilla the gold standard of frozen treats.
14. Nestlé’s Global Food Revolution
Henri Nestlé founded his company in 1866 in Switzerland, making this snack giant an incredible 159 years old! The company began by producing infant formula to combat high mortality rates, then expanded into chocolate in 1875 when it merged with Daniel Peter.
Nestlé introduced milk chocolate to the world and later developed iconic treats like Crunch bars, Toll House morsels, and Nesquik. Their innovation transformed how we enjoy sweets.
Now the world’s largest food company, Nestlé produces everything from candy to coffee. Their research continuously develops new flavors and products while maintaining the classics that have delighted multiple generations across the globe.
15. Cracker Jack’s Prize-Winning Past
Frederick and Louis Rueckheim created what would become Cracker Jack in 1896 at the Chicago World’s Fair. That makes this caramel-coated popcorn and peanut treat a remarkable 129 years old!
The famous “prize inside” tradition began in 1912, creating generations of excited kids digging through caramel-covered kernels for tiny treasures. The sailor boy mascot “Sailor Jack” and his dog Bingo appeared on packages in 1918 and remain there today.
Immortalized in the baseball anthem “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” Cracker Jack became forever linked with America’s pastime. Frito-Lay now produces the iconic snack, continuing its legacy at ballparks nationwide.
16. Hershey’s Sweet American Dream
Milton Hershey established his chocolate company in 1894, making this iconic brand 131 years old! After failing in the candy business multiple times, Hershey finally found success with caramels before discovering his true calling—milk chocolate.
The company built an entire town—Hershey, Pennsylvania—around its factory, creating a chocolate-themed community that still attracts tourists today. Their signature Kisses debuted in 1907, becoming an American icon.
Hershey’s chocolate helped democratize what was once a luxury item, making it affordable for everyday Americans. The company remains headquartered in its namesake town, producing the familiar chocolate bars that have sweetened special moments for generations.
17. General Mills’ Cereal Sensation
Founded in 1928 through the merger of several flourmill companies, General Mills has been creating beloved breakfast and snack foods for 97 years. The company revolutionized breakfast with cereals like Wheaties (1924), Cheerios (1941), and Lucky Charms (1964).
Beyond cereal, they expanded into snacks with brands like Betty Crocker and Nature Valley. Remember Bugles corn snacks? Those crunchy cones have been finger puppets and munchies since 1964!
The company’s innovation continues today with healthier options alongside classic favorites. Their Pillsbury division brings us ready-to-bake cookies and those irresistible cinnamon rolls that have scented countless American kitchens.
18. Keebler’s Elfin Magic
Godfrey Keebler opened his tiny Philadelphia bakery in 1853, launching what would become the Keebler Company. That makes these cookie crafters an astonishing 172 years old!
The famous Keebler elves didn’t appear until 1969, but they’ve become synonymous with the brand. Ernie Keebler and his magical friends supposedly craft cookies in their hollow tree bakery—a whimsical marketing concept that captured America’s imagination.
Kellogg’s acquired the company in 2001, and Ferrero purchased the cookie portion in 2019. Despite changing ownership, the elves continue their legacy, creating familiar favorites like Fudge Stripes and E.L. Fudge cookies that transport us back to childhood.
19. Lindt’s Chocolate Revolution
Rodolphe Lindt founded his chocolate company in Bern, Switzerland in 1845, making this premium chocolatier an incredible 180 years old! Lindt revolutionized chocolate-making by inventing the conching process, which created smoother, meltable chocolate unlike anything available at the time.
The company’s signature gold-wrapped chocolate bunnies have become Easter traditions in households worldwide. Their Lindor truffles, with creamy centers that melt in your mouth, debuted in 1949.
Lindt & Sprüngli (following a merger) continues to produce premium chocolates that balance Swiss tradition with modern innovation. Their chocolate bars and truffles remain synonymous with luxury and special occasions.
20. Cadbury’s Royal Chocolate Heritage
John Cadbury opened a tea and coffee shop in Birmingham, England in 1824, making Cadbury a remarkable 201 years old! He began selling drinking chocolate as a healthier alternative to alcohol, eventually focusing entirely on cocoa products.
The company created the first chocolate bar for eating (rather than drinking) in 1842. Their iconic Dairy Milk bar debuted in 1905, changing chocolate forever with its higher milk content and creamier texture.
The Cadbury family were Quakers who built a model village for workers called Bournville. Now owned by Mondelēz International, Cadbury’s purple packaging and distinctive taste continue to represent British chocolate excellence worldwide.
21. Kellogg’s Breakfast Revolution
W.K. Kellogg founded his cereal company in 1906, making this breakfast pioneer 119 years old! The company grew from experiments at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, where W.K. and his brother Dr. John Harvey Kellogg accidentally created corn flakes while seeking healthier foods for patients.
Their first product, Toasted Corn Flakes, revolutionized how Americans ate breakfast. Tony the Tiger didn’t roar his famous “They’re Gr-r-reat!” until 1952 when Frosted Flakes debuted.
Beyond cereal, Kellogg’s expanded into convenient snacks like Rice Krispies Treats and Nutri-Grain bars. Their iconic red logo continues to brighten breakfast tables around the world every morning.
22. Orville Redenbacher’s Popping Perfection
Though the brand wasn’t established until 1970, Orville Redenbacher himself was born in 1907 and spent decades perfecting his special popcorn hybrid. The real Orville—not a fictional mascot—appears on every package with his distinctive bow tie and glasses.
Redenbacher and partner Charlie Bowman developed a premium popcorn that popped up lighter and fluffier than competitors. The agricultural engineer’s commitment to quality created a premium product in a previously commodity market.
ConAgra Foods purchased the brand in 1976, but maintained Orville’s high standards. His legacy continues as the top-selling popcorn in America, bringing his perfectionistic approach to movie nights everywhere.
Leave a comment