When James S. Herr, known as Jim, entered the potato chip industry with Herr’s Potato Chips in 1946 by purchasing a potato chip operation in Lancaster, PA, he established a legacy of enduring tradition guiding waves of ensuing generations. He cultivated deep company roots in traditional values and strong business integrity, seeking to live his life with “zest and purpose—with flavor,” as he noted in his 2012 autobiography, “Life with flavor,” published just after he passed away in 2012.
Today, the company is known as Herr Foods Inc., based in Nottingham, PA with office, production, and warehouse space that combine in that location for 450,000 square feet. The company is still family owned and operated, with over 1,600 employees across the Mid-Atlantic region—and making some inroads in national and international markets. The legacy begun 75 years ago endures, with 13 members of the Herr family involved with the business—and the third generation poised for increased leadership.