PepsiCo acquires Stacy's Pita Chip Company

13/01/06 PepsiCo has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Stacy's Pita Chip Company, the top selling pita chip maker with sales approaching $60 million in 2005. Stacy's is an all-natural snack company with strong growth potential that will now operate as a separate unit reporting to Frito-Lay North America chairman and chief executive officer Irene Rosenfeld.

The Stacy's acquisition supports Frito-Lay's desire to participate more broadly in the $90 billion macrosnack category and complements the company's growing portfolio of healthier snack options. Stacy's co-founders, Stacy Madison and Mark Andrus, will continue to provide input to the business team in the areas of marketing, sales and new product development. The company will remain headquartered in Randolph, MA, with more than 100 employees.

Terms of the transaction, which closed today, were not disclosed.

Stacy's pita chips are distributed nationwide and come in five flavors -- Simply Naked, Texarkana Hot, Pesto & Sundried Tomato, Cinnamon Sugar and Parmesan, Garlic & Herb. They qualify for PepsiCo's Smart Spot symbol, which is found on select products which meet certain nutrition criteria and makes shopping easier for families looking for healthier snack and beverage choices. Stacy's pita chips are baked, all natural and have no cholesterol. Like Frito-Lay, Stacy's offers snack chips without trans fats.

In addition to pita chips, Stacy's also offers three flavors of soy thin crisps (White Cheddar, Sweet BBQ and Buttery Caramel).

Stacy's Pita Chip Company was founded in 1997 by a social worker and a psychologist with a passion for good food and a commitment to healthy living. With a desire for a career in the food industry, but without the capital to open a restaurant, Stacy Madison and Mark Andrus began serving healthy pita bread roll-up sandwiches in Boston's Financial District. As an incentive, the bread was baked into pita chips and served to customers waiting in line. They became an instant hit and the lines grew longer each day. It was the customers who encouraged them to get the pita chips into stores, thus Stacy's

Pita Chip Company was born. Thanks to loyal customers, Stacy's chips are now available nationwide.

Frito-Lay, based in Plano, TX, is the $10 billion convenient food division of PepsiCo, which is based in Purchase, NY.

PepsiCo is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies with annual revenues of $29 billion. Its principal businesses include Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. Its portfolio includes 16 brands that generate $1 billion or more in annual retail sales.

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