Our History

James S. Herr

Founder (1924 - 2012)

James S. Herr

Founder (1924 - 2012)

In 1946, James S. Herr launched his career with a $1,750 investment in a small Lancaster, Pennsylvania potato chip company and a keen desire to make and sell high quality snack foods. At the time, sales averaged $30 a week. But, the 21 year-old’s persistence and business acumen led him on a path of steady growth. By 2012 sales volume had expanded to exceed $250 million annually, and the Herr’s payroll included some 1,500 employees dedicated to the production and marketing of 240 varieties of snacks in a nine state region.

Jim Herr was recognized as a business leader and as an innovator and mentor within the snack food industry. In 1969, the Small Business Administration named him Outstanding Pennsylvania Businessman of the Year. He served for five years on the board of directors of the Worldwide Economic Development Team. Among his duties was working hand in hand with aspiring African entrepreneurs. In 1979, Jim served as International President of the Potato Chip and Snack Food Association. The association welcomed him into its Circle of Honor in 1997. That same year he was named Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s Businessman of the Year.

A strong believer in local service, Jim served as a director of the Chester County Development Council and as Building Campaign Chair for the Southern Chester County Health Services Medical Center. He was a 12-year member of the Oxford Area School Board, serving five of those years as its President. For six years, he held a seat on the Chester County Board of School Directors.

A staunch advocate for small business, in 1972 he was elected to the board of the National Federation of Independent Business, a 350,000 member strong association of small and independent businesses. In 1989 he was elected as their Chairman, a position he held until retiring in December 2000. He was President of Interstate Drilling Co. until it was sold in 2001, and held leadership positions on a number of local boards and religious organizations.

Jim Herr, Founder of the Herr Foods Company, turned the Chairmanship over to his son, J.M. Herr, on January 7, 2005. He continued to serve on the Board until his passing on April 5, 2012.

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1924, Jim married Miriam Hershey in 1947. The couple moved to Nottingham in 1951, where they raised five children. The Herr’s have 27 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

J.M. Herr

Executive Chairman

Ed Herr

Chairman, CEO

Troy Gunden

President

Jim E. Herr

Senior VP of Sales, Marketing, and R&D

Jere Thomas

Senior VP of Manufacturing

The Herr Family 3rd generation leaders with Chairman and CEO Ed Herr.

Herr's 3rd Generation leaders in front of the Herr's Snack Factory

From left to right: Troy Gunden (President) | Son of June Gunden(Herr) & Grandson of J.S. Herr ; Ed Herr (Chairman and CEO); Jim E. Herr (Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing & R&D) | Son of J.M Herr & Grandson of J.S. Herr ; Jere Thomas (Senior Vice President of Manufacturing) | Son of Martha Thomas (Herr) & Grandson of J.S. Herr

Over 70 years of making snacks that make people smile

James S. Herr broke away from his family’s business of chicken farming to build up his very own snack company — one that continues to thrive, over 70 years later.

1946

James Herr buys potato chip company for $1,750

Herr Foods Inc.’s story began in 1946 when 21-year-old James Stauffer Herr buys a small potato chip company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for $1,750. In 1947, the business moves into a vacated tobacco shed on the Herr family farm. As he learns more about the business, Jim Herr develops new and better cooking processes and a delicious snack food becomes even better. As demand for Herr's Potato Chips grows, so does the company.
1946 (later)

Mim Hershey, will you marry me?

In September 1946, Jim Herr proposes to Mim Hershey after an annual farm show in West Lampeter. Five months later, they are married in the Hershey family's house in Paradise.
1949

New Building

In the spring of 1949, Jim located a 3,600-square-foot bakery facility available for rent in the small town of West Willow, Pennsylvania. The bakery, along with an adjacent house, became workplace and home for Jim and his wife Mim.
1959

Factory Fire Threatens Future

On September 5, 1951, Herr's experiences a major disaster. Late in the afternoon, Jim is headed home from his deliveries, and Mim is preparing the evening meal, when the fire breaks out in the plant. Although the equipment had been shut down for the day, cooking oil had dropped onto a hot fire brick and burst into flames. The potato chip factory is consumed by the fire.
1952

Welcome to Nottingham

With help from family, friends and the bank, the Herrs buy 37 acres and build a new 4,500 square-foot plant. Jim Herr equips the new plant with its first automated cooker, an early example of the company's commitment to innovation and quality. From the beginning, Jim adheres to his underlying business philosophy of providing quality products, at competitive prices, and backing them up with honesty and dependable service.
1956

Expanding - New Warehouse

By 1956, just ten years after its inception, Herr's^® Potato Chips was well-established with an expanding customer base. To accommodate the growth, the company built a 7,000-square-foot warehouse for storage of its allied products.
1958

"You want to BBQ what?"

In 1958, after careful consideration, Herr's begins adding seasoning to its potato chips. The barbecue chip is the first flavored chip the company tries, and it is still in production today. Over the years, the company has added a number of flavors, including Sour Cream & Onion, Old Bay, Salt & Vinegar, Pizza, Red Hot, Dill, Cheddar Horseradish and many more.
1961

Herr's Becomes Herr Foods Inc.
1963

Growing company has first TV commercial

The company doubled in size by constructing a 21,000 square-foot production facility in a field behind the Herr family's house. The company began a generous profit-sharing program for its employees. This year they also aired their very first television commercial.
1964

Cardboard Barrel

In 1964, Herr's^® embarked on a packaging venture that helped revolutionize the company's sales. For years, Herr's^® chips were sold in wax paper bags for 5, 10, and 15 cents a bag, depending on size. Herr's^®also offered a twin pack (two bags inside a larger cellophane package) at 49 cents. A packaging salesman convinced Jim to try selling chips in a 20-ounce cardboard barrel. The barrels resembled the popular, wax-lined ice cream cartons and could be assembled affordably on site. The sturdy barrels would prevent chips from breaking and protect them from light, which preserved freshness.
1968

Growing, Growing, Growing!

In 1968, the company operated 35 sales routes out of Nottingham and five from New Jersey. An additional 23,000 square-feet was added to the plant. The new space provided more room for cooking, packing, and potato storage. A year later, Herr's<sup>®</sup> added 8,000 square feet of new stock rooms.
1969

Jim Herr: Businessman of the Year

As the company expands, Jim Herr's reputation as an exceptional businessman grows as well. In 1969, Jim is named Pennsylvania's Businessman of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
1976

Expanding Westward

Herr's purchases a small manufacturing plant in Chillicothe, OH to make potato chips.
1976-1984

More than a chip company

To keep up with consumer demand, Herr's begins producing a number of new products: 1976 cheese curls; 1978 popcorn; 1981 pretzels; 1983 corn and tortilla chips; and 1984 onion rings.
1979

James S. Herr becomes President of Snack Food Association
1983

Jim returns to his farming roots

By the early ‘80s, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is enforcing stricter waste disposal legislation. Jim Herr’s search for a creative solution ends in his own backyard — negotiating a deal with a young couple to help him establish Herr Angus Farms. Today, the farms produce wheat, soybean, corn and barley, while acting as recycling centers for the production factory’s potato peels, rejected food products and wastewater.
1988

Going global

In 1988, Herr's expands snack sales internationally and is now available in over 37 countries around the world.
1989

Potato chip factory turned tourist attraction

In 1989, Herr’s constructs a 15,000-square-foot visitor center adjacent to the plant. On weekdays, tour guides lead visitors through the center and the plant — ending with visitors getting a fresh potato chip, right off the production line.
1989

The Next Generation

Also in 1989, the second generation of Herr family members began to take their place at the executive level of the company. James M. Herr, son of the founder, became President of Herr Foods Inc.
1990

Recognized by the NFIB

James S. Herr becomes the Chairman of the National Federation of Independent Business
1991

The James S. Corporate building was built.
2000

Leadership changes

James M. Herr becomes CEO; Ed Herr becomes company spokesperson
2004

Going back to the past

Kettle chip production begins in the Nottingham facility
2005

More Changes

James S. Herr becomes "Founder", while James M. Herr is named Chairman. Ed Herr is named President.
2008

Plant #2 is established

In 2008, a second plant is built to house the new extruded snack line and baked lines, greatly increasing the capacity in these areas.
2013

Good Natured Selects

In 2013, Good Natured Selects is introduced. Herr’s purchases a portion of Silk City Snacks in Clifton, New Jersey. (The deal is finalized in 2015.)
2015

Going Lite

In 2015, Herr’s introduces a new snack line under the name, Go Lite!, which focuses on lighter snacking options.
2016

A promising future

In 2016, J.M. Herr is promoted to executive chairman, and Ed Herr steps in as the company’s new president and CEO. The Herr family continues to introduce innovative products and packaging. Herr’s currently makes more than 340 snack items, and with a dedicated sales force and a localized distribution network, the highest standard of service and the freshest-quality snacks are provided, today and every day.
2018

Welcoming the 3rd Generation

The company announces plans for the 3rd generation to move into executive positions; Troy Gunden as Executive Vice President, Jim E. Herr as Vice President of Marketing and Research & Development, Jeremiah Thomas as Vice President of Manufacturing.

Photograph by Tessa Marie Images.