Tyrrells Crisps: English smoky barbecue
Tyrrells Potato Crisps was founded in 2002 by William Chase on his farm in Herefordshire, England, where it pioneered the premium "hand-cooked" crisp category. The brand quickly distinguished itself through a "farm-to-bag" philosophy, using locally sourced potatoes and cooking them in small batches to achieve a signature thick-cut crunch. Beyond the product itself, Tyrrells became famous for its quirky, eccentric British branding, featuring black-and-white Victorian-era photographs on its packaging and humorous flavor names. This artisanal positioning allowed the company to stand out as a sophisticated alternative to mass-market snack brands, appealing to consumers looking for quality and provenance.
The company’s success led to a series of high-profile acquisitions as it transitioned from a family-run business to a global snack player. William Chase sold his remaining shares in 2008, and after several changes in ownership involving private equity firms and the American giant Hershey, Tyrrells was acquired in 2018 by KP Snacks, a subsidiary of the German Intersnack Group. Despite these corporate shifts, the company has maintained its production roots in the English countryside. While it has expanded its footprint into over 30 countries, the brand has faced recent market adjustments; for example, in late 2025, it was discontinued in major Australian supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths due to shifting consumer demand in that region.
Tyrrells Crisps: English smoky barbecue
Tyrrells Potato Crisps was founded in 2002 by William Chase on his farm in Herefordshire, England, where it pioneered the premium "hand-cooked" crisp category. The brand quickly distinguished itself through a "farm-to-bag" philosophy, using locally sourced potatoes and cooking them in small batches to achieve a signature thick-cut crunch. Beyond the product itself, Tyrrells became famous for its quirky, eccentric British branding, featuring black-and-white Victorian-era photographs on its packaging and humorous flavor names. This artisanal positioning allowed the company to stand out as a sophisticated alternative to mass-market snack brands, appealing to consumers looking for quality and provenance.
The company’s success led to a series of high-profile acquisitions as it transitioned from a family-run business to a global snack player. William Chase sold his remaining shares in 2008, and after several changes in ownership involving private equity firms and the American giant Hershey, Tyrrells was acquired in 2018 by KP Snacks, a subsidiary of the German Intersnack Group. Despite these corporate shifts, the company has maintained its production roots in the English countryside. While it has expanded its footprint into over 30 countries, the brand has faced recent market adjustments; for example, in late 2025, it was discontinued in major Australian supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths due to shifting consumer demand in that region.