Difference between revisions of "Doritos"
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| − | '''Doritos''', produced by the American company [[Frito-Lay]], are the most popular snack chip in the United States.<ref>http://www.pepsico.com/PEP_Company/History/ — 1966 Milestones</ref> Doritos are similar to [[potato chips]], but are made with [[corn]] and a variety of [[spice]]s and [[season]]ings | + | '''Doritos''', produced by the American company [[Frito-Lay]], are the most popular snack chip in the United States.<ref>http://www.pepsico.com/PEP_Company/History/ — 1966 Milestones</ref> Doritos are similar to [[potato chips]], but are made with [[corn]] and a variety of [[spice]]s and [[season]]ings. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
The brand was launched in 1966, the year after H.W. Lay's "Frito-Lay Company" (the maker of [[Fritos]]) merged with the [[Pepsi-Cola]] Company to form PepsiCo, Inc.<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/comp_hist.htm</ref> Pepsi-Cola had hoped to use the merger to its advantage, since salty snacks and cold carbonated drinks fit naturally together; however, an [[Federal Trade Commission]] [[anti-trust]] lawsuit brought against Frito-Lay in 1963 stifled many of Pepsi's aspirations. For example, the FTC barred PepsiCo from creating [[cross-promotion]]s between Frito products and Pepsi-brand beverages.<ref name="fundinguniverse">http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/FritoLay-Company-Company-History.html</ref> | The brand was launched in 1966, the year after H.W. Lay's "Frito-Lay Company" (the maker of [[Fritos]]) merged with the [[Pepsi-Cola]] Company to form PepsiCo, Inc.<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/comp_hist.htm</ref> Pepsi-Cola had hoped to use the merger to its advantage, since salty snacks and cold carbonated drinks fit naturally together; however, an [[Federal Trade Commission]] [[anti-trust]] lawsuit brought against Frito-Lay in 1963 stifled many of Pepsi's aspirations. For example, the FTC barred PepsiCo from creating [[cross-promotion]]s between Frito products and Pepsi-brand beverages.<ref name="fundinguniverse">http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/FritoLay-Company-Company-History.html</ref> | ||
| − | Nevertheless, Frito-Lay's new product — the triangular tortilla chips known as ''Doritos'' — took off | + | Nevertheless, Frito-Lay's new product — the triangular tortilla chips known as ''Doritos'' — took off.<ref name="fundinguniverse"/> In 1968, Doritos' star rose higher with the introduction of [[taco]]-flavored Doritos; and in 1972 came [[nacho]] [[cheese]]–flavored Doritos. |
| − | As the | + | As the snack penetrated national markets, it gradually lost its ethnic, "Mexican" character,<ref name="fundinguniverse"/><ref>http://michaelianblack.typepad.com/blog/2008/06/hey-doritos-get.html</ref> much as Frito-Lay's flagship Fritos had lost theirs over the preceding 40 years. (Around the same time, in 1971, Frito-Lay retired its cartoon mascot, the Tex Avery–animated "[[Frito Bandito]]".<ref name="toonopedia">http://www.toonopedia.com/frito.htm</ref>) This "blandishment" of the snack's image may have helped it gain traction outside the [[Southwest]], where Frito-Lay had always been strongest. (Frito-Lay's headquarters were<ref name="fundinguniverse"/> and still are<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/our-company/contact-us.htm</ref> located in [[Texas]].) By 1985, Doritos were raking in sales of $500 million annually; by the end of the decade, they were being sold in 20 countries worldwide.<ref name="fundinguniverse"/> |
| − | By 1993, Doritos | + | By 1993, Doritos had annual sales in America of roughly $1.3 billion.<ref name="collins">Glenn Collins, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E2DE173EF930A35752C1A962958260 "Pepsico Pushes a Star Performer"]. ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 3, 1994.</ref> |
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==Criticisms== | ==Criticisms== | ||
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It has also been pointed out that Doritos' many new flavors and varieties (22 varieties as of 2008<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/products_doritos.htm</ref>) are typically only slight variations on two themes: "spicy cheese" and "cool".<ref>[http://the-trifecta.com/2007/09/16/the-biggest-scam-in-the-history-of-the-flavored-corn-tortilla-chips-industry/ "The Biggest Scam in the History of the Flavored Corn Tortilla Chips Industry"]. "The Trifecta", September 16, 2007.</ref> Exceptions to this general rule include the "plain"-flavored Doritos "Toasted Corn" Tortilla Chips<ref>[http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/Nutrition_ProdID_3043.htm "Nutritional Information: DORITOS Toasted Corn Tortilla Chips"]</ref> and several generally short-lived or promotional flavors, such as Doritos [[Guacamole]].<ref>[http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=1871 "Doritos Guacamole!"], ''taquitos.net''</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMyrXGmDhI — Doritos Guacamole TV commercial</ref> | It has also been pointed out that Doritos' many new flavors and varieties (22 varieties as of 2008<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/products_doritos.htm</ref>) are typically only slight variations on two themes: "spicy cheese" and "cool".<ref>[http://the-trifecta.com/2007/09/16/the-biggest-scam-in-the-history-of-the-flavored-corn-tortilla-chips-industry/ "The Biggest Scam in the History of the Flavored Corn Tortilla Chips Industry"]. "The Trifecta", September 16, 2007.</ref> Exceptions to this general rule include the "plain"-flavored Doritos "Toasted Corn" Tortilla Chips<ref>[http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/Nutrition_ProdID_3043.htm "Nutritional Information: DORITOS Toasted Corn Tortilla Chips"]</ref> and several generally short-lived or promotional flavors, such as Doritos [[Guacamole]].<ref>[http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=1871 "Doritos Guacamole!"], ''taquitos.net''</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMyrXGmDhI — Doritos Guacamole TV commercial</ref> | ||
| − | == | + | ==Quotes== |
*"[Doritos are] uninhibited and irreverent ... If you think of [the] Doritos brand as a person, it would be a likable wise guy." —Roger Berdusco, Frito-Lay VP of marketing<ref name="collins"/> | *"[Doritos are] uninhibited and irreverent ... If you think of [the] Doritos brand as a person, it would be a likable wise guy." —Roger Berdusco, Frito-Lay VP of marketing<ref name="collins"/> | ||
Revision as of 21:33, December 6, 2008
Doritos, produced by the American company Frito-Lay, are the most popular snack chip in the United States.[1] Doritos are similar to potato chips, but are made with corn and a variety of spices and seasonings.
History
The brand was launched in 1966, the year after H.W. Lay's "Frito-Lay Company" (the maker of Fritos) merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company to form PepsiCo, Inc.[2] Pepsi-Cola had hoped to use the merger to its advantage, since salty snacks and cold carbonated drinks fit naturally together; however, an Federal Trade Commission anti-trust lawsuit brought against Frito-Lay in 1963 stifled many of Pepsi's aspirations. For example, the FTC barred PepsiCo from creating cross-promotions between Frito products and Pepsi-brand beverages.[3]
Nevertheless, Frito-Lay's new product — the triangular tortilla chips known as Doritos — took off.[3] In 1968, Doritos' star rose higher with the introduction of taco-flavored Doritos; and in 1972 came nacho cheese–flavored Doritos.
As the snack penetrated national markets, it gradually lost its ethnic, "Mexican" character,[3][4] much as Frito-Lay's flagship Fritos had lost theirs over the preceding 40 years. (Around the same time, in 1971, Frito-Lay retired its cartoon mascot, the Tex Avery–animated "Frito Bandito".[5]) This "blandishment" of the snack's image may have helped it gain traction outside the Southwest, where Frito-Lay had always been strongest. (Frito-Lay's headquarters were[3] and still are[6] located in Texas.) By 1985, Doritos were raking in sales of $500 million annually; by the end of the decade, they were being sold in 20 countries worldwide.[3]
By 1993, Doritos had annual sales in America of roughly $1.3 billion.[7]
Criticisms
One prominent criticism of the original Doritos formula was that the chips were "too heavy, too thick, and too crunchy",[3] a criticism which the Frito-Lay Company initially addressed by creating Tostitos, a thinner, lighter, crispier snack chip. In 1994, the Doritos formula itself was changed to make the chips "20 percent larger, 15 percent thinner, and stronger tasting",[7] and to give the chips rounded corners that would not break off and leave wasted scraps in the bottom of the bag.
It has also been pointed out that Doritos' many new flavors and varieties (22 varieties as of 2008[8]) are typically only slight variations on two themes: "spicy cheese" and "cool".[9] Exceptions to this general rule include the "plain"-flavored Doritos "Toasted Corn" Tortilla Chips[10] and several generally short-lived or promotional flavors, such as Doritos Guacamole.[11][12]
Quotes
- "[Doritos are] uninhibited and irreverent ... If you think of [the] Doritos brand as a person, it would be a likable wise guy." —Roger Berdusco, Frito-Lay VP of marketing[7]
References
- ↑ http://www.pepsico.com/PEP_Company/History/ — 1966 Milestones
- ↑ http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/comp_hist.htm
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/FritoLay-Company-Company-History.html
- ↑ http://michaelianblack.typepad.com/blog/2008/06/hey-doritos-get.html
- ↑ http://www.toonopedia.com/frito.htm
- ↑ http://www.fritolay.com/our-company/contact-us.htm
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Glenn Collins, "Pepsico Pushes a Star Performer". The New York Times, November 3, 1994.
- ↑ http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/products_doritos.htm
- ↑ "The Biggest Scam in the History of the Flavored Corn Tortilla Chips Industry". "The Trifecta", September 16, 2007.
- ↑ "Nutritional Information: DORITOS Toasted Corn Tortilla Chips"
- ↑ "Doritos Guacamole!", taquitos.net
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMyrXGmDhI — Doritos Guacamole TV commercial