Charles H. Seyfert, founder of the iconic Seyfert’s snack brand, cooked his first batch of chips on August 20, 1934 at 450 E. Wallace Street in Fort Wayne. Seyfert, a native of Pennsylvania, relocated to Fort Wayne a few years prior with some prodding from his uncle. Two months before opening this first kitchen, Seyfert wrote a letter to his brother regarding his attempt to break into the snack business. He noted that he had been quite successful selling chips and bologna to tourists and travelers in the lake region of Northeast Indiana, but that he could not find a chip that consistently met his standards, writing “[I] intend to start the chip business myself because my biggest trouble is I don’t have a good chip.” Seyfert’s snacks, one of Indiana’s most recognized brands, ceased operations on August 20, 2018, exactly 84 years after Charles H. Seyfert began producing his first batch of chips. Today we celebrate one of Allen County’s innovations with several Seyfert items from our collection, including Charles’ original letter. #sociallyhistory
On August 20, 1934, potato chip company Seyfert’s opened in Fort Wayne. According to the company, founder Charles Seyfert traveled from his Pennsylvania home to the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933 and on his way back stopped in Fort Wayne. He returned, liking "what he saw of the northeastern Indiana town," and established a pretzel business that ultimately failed.
He then founded his potato chip business. The company noted that "the operation was much different than today's. Charles Seyfert did everything himself – from peeling potatoes to making chips to delivering the finished product. Today, miles and miles of conveyor belts carry the raw ingredients, cooked snacks and bags of goodies from one area of the plant to another."
Troyer Potato Products acquired Seyfert Foods in 2001, and the Fort Wayne plant closed its doors in 2018.
In 1933, Charles Seyfert left his home in PA and drove his pretzel truck to Chicago for the World's Fair. On his way back home, he passed through Fort Wayne, Indiana, liked what he saw of the northeastern Indiana town and stopped there to begin a pretzel-making business. Although pretzels were Seyfert's dream, Fort Wayne wasn't ready for pretzels at that time and the businessman went broke. After a trip back home to PA to gather equipment, Seyfert returned to Fort Wayne and started a potato chip operation. This time, the snack food entrepreneur was successful.
Seyfert opened its doors August 20, 1934, the operation was much different than today's. Charles Seyfert did everything himself – from peeling potatoes to making chips to delivering the finished product. Today, miles and miles of conveyor belts carry the raw ingredients, cooked snacks and bags of goodies from one area of the plant to another.
In 1982, Borden Inc. acquired Seyfert. In October, 1994, Heath acquisition Corporation acquired the Seyfert Foods division from Borden Inc.. In 2001, Troyer Potato Products acquired Seyfert Foods.
The Troyer organization acquired Seyfert Foods in March 2001 but the relationship between the two companies goes back to the 1960s. At that time, Troyer supplied Seyfert's with potatoes. At the time of the acquisition, Troyer sold its products in Pennsylvania, eastern and central Ohio, western New York, and parts of West Virginia and Indiana. "It was a logical move by Troyer, and we're now fortunate to have product lines that have broad appeal in a number of nearby states," added Clifford Troyer.
On August 20, 1934, potato chip company Seyfert’s opened in Fort Wayne. According to the company, founder Charles Seyfert traveled from his Pennsylvania home to the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933 and on his way back stopped in Fort Wayne. He returned, liking "what he saw of the northeastern Indiana town," and established a pretzel business that ultimately failed. He then founded his potato chip business.
The company noted that "the operation was much different than today's. Charles Seyfert did everything himself – from peeling potatoes to making chips to delivering the finished product. Today, miles and miles of conveyor belts carry the raw ingredients, cooked snacks and bags of goodies from one area of the plant to another." Troyer Potato Products acquired Seyfert Foods in 2001. In August, 2018, it was announced that the company would be ceasing operations, ending the 84 year snack food tradition.
The image below shows a boy scout selling Seyfert’s chips at a fireworks display in Fort Wayne in 1953, courtesy of the Allen County Public Library.
April 3, 2013 album post by Hofer and Davis, Inc. Land Surveyors on Facebook: COSTCO STAGING Gearing up at the COSTCO/KELLEY SITE as spring might be coming to Northeast Indiana soon. This our attempt at giving our followers a visual experience of how a construction site evolves from when the surveyor first steps on the site to completion. Please see other albums already posted.
Chip company closing August 21, 2018 by WTHRon YouTube
An iconic Indiana snack maker is closing its doors after more than 80 years in business. Seyfert's which is best known for their potato chips, cheese puffs and pretzels is shutting down after not being able to find a buyer.
