Weird Details About Fritos That The Makers Don't Put On The Bag
Potato chips are considered the lunchtime snack, but when you want to take things to the next level, you reach for a bag of Fritos. Beyond their classic taste and crispy crunch, though, the secrets of this salty snack are stranger than you'd expect. So let's tear the pouch open, peek inside, and grab a handful of facts — because the history of this iconic chip is one detail you definitely won't find on the bag.
Fritos’ founder was a candy seller
Charles Elmer Doolin, the future founder of Fritos, was relieved to have dodged bankruptcy as the owner of a confectionery in 1932. That's right: he was selling candy during the Great Depression. Not exactly a winning combo. As his confectionery business melted around him, Charles knew he'd need to switch gears.
Fritos were inspired by a Mexican delicacy
While ordering at a small cafe in San Antonio, Texas, Charles decided to buy a bag of corn chips. He took one bite and stumbled upon the answer he was looking for. The snack Charles had found was a common delicacy on the beaches of Mexico. In fact, the name Fritos appropriately translates from Spanish to "little fried things," which Charles found endlessly fascinating. He knew he needed to find the maker of this delicious treat right away!
Fritos were born from a taste test
When Charles found the man who owned the small corn chip business, he bought the recipe outright. He took the names of all the original customers and asked them to taste test the product once again. His question: What could take this recipe to the next level — and prevent him from spiraling into debt?
The founder was broke and lived with his mom
Poor Charles was, at this point, living back home with his mother, spending his days working on corn chip recipes. He tried different spices, different oils, different bakes, and different shapes. But he just couldn't get that "wow" factor. That's when it hit him.
