Better Made factory

Better Made Snack Food Company has been a Detroit institution since 1930, producing potato chips and other snack foods that have become closely associated with Michigan cuisine. The company stands as the last remaining original potato chip company from the early twentieth century that still operates within the city of Detroit, a fact that reflects its enduring appeal and adaptability in a competitive market.

History

Accounts of Better Made's origins vary by source. The company's roots trace back to 1929 with the founding of the Best Maid potato chip company by Ernest Nicolay and Russell Dancey. The company officially became Better Made in 1930. Its rise coincided with the increasing popularity of potato chips as a snack food following World War I, a trend that built on a snack widely attributed to cook George Crum, who is credited with creating the first potato chip in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1853.

The competitive landscape of the snack food industry began shifting in the mid-twentieth century. In 1958, the New Era company merged with Frito, which subsequently merged with Lay in 1961, forming what would become Frito-Lay, a national brand with substantially greater resources. To compete, Better Made introduced its first flavored chip. That move showed the company's willingness to adapt to changing consumer preferences rather than rely solely on its original product. Better Made has maintained its commitment to producing snack foods in Detroit for over 95 years.

Products

Better Made produces a broad range of potato chips and snack foods. The company's classic plain chip remains its most recognized product, but the line has expanded over the decades to include a variety of flavored chips. Among local consumers, the BBQ chip is frequently noted for its distinct flavor profile and lighter composition compared to comparable products from national brands.

Seasonal and specialty products have also been part of the company's offering. A chocolate-covered potato chip tin, for example, became a popular seasonal item among Detroit consumers, though the Detroit Free Press reported in 2025 that the company announced it would no longer offer that product. The company has also released limited-edition products and new flavor varieties in recent years.

Geography

Better Made's production facilities are located in Detroit, on Gratiot Avenue on the city's east side. The factory's continued operation within city limits contributes to the local economy and provides employment for Detroit residents. This distinguishes Better Made from many snack food companies that have relocated production out of urban centers or out of their home states entirely.

For ten months out of the year, the company uses Michigan potatoes in its production process. Michigan is one of the leading chipping potato-producing states in the country. The state's sandy, well-draining soils and cooler late-summer harvest temperatures produce potatoes with sugar levels that are well-suited to high-temperature frying, a quality that directly affects the color and taste of the finished chip. This agricultural context helps explain why Detroit, positioned in the heart of Michigan's potato-growing region, became a center of chip manufacturing in the twentieth century. The remaining two months of the year, when Michigan potatoes are not available, the company sources potatoes from other regions to maintain continuous production.

The factory on Gratiot Avenue has offered tours to select groups over the years, giving local residents and school groups a look at the chip-making process. Tours are not offered as a regular walk-in programme and are typically arranged in advance. Still, they have become a point of connection between the company and its community, with multiple generations of Michigan residents recalling visits to the factory as part of their local experience growing up.

Culture

Better Made is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Detroit and the wider Michigan area. The brand is associated with local traditions, sporting events, and community gatherings. Its products are found at local stores, festivals, and events throughout the state, which reinforces its place in regional identity.

Generational loyalty is a defining feature of the brand's relationship with its consumers. Michigan residents who grew up eating Better Made chips have, in many cases, passed that preference on to their children. That continuity is not accidental. It reflects both the company's consistent quality and its deliberate choice to remain rooted in Detroit rather than chasing growth through relocation or national distribution deals. As a local brand in a city with a strong sense of civic identity, Better Made has benefited from an emotional connection that national brands can't replicate on the same terms.

The brand's local identity has also received attention in regional media. WWJ Newsradio 950, a Detroit news radio outlet, has highlighted Better Made's status as an iconic Detroit brand, noting the strong nostalgic connection many Michiganders feel toward its products.

Economy

Better Made's long operation in Detroit has made it a consistent contributor to the city's economy through direct employment and local spending. The company's continued investment in its Gratiot Avenue facility shows a commitment to Detroit at a time when many manufacturers left the city during periods of economic decline.

The company's reliance on Michigan potatoes has a parallel economic effect on the state's agricultural sector. By sourcing its primary ingredient locally for the majority of the production year, Better Made supports Michigan potato farmers and contributes to demand for chipping-variety potato cultivation. Michigan has a historical tradition of potato chip manufacturing that, in turn, created sustained demand among local farmers to grow the specific potato varieties suited to chip production. That relationship between regional agriculture and local manufacturing is a concrete example of how food production and farming can reinforce each other within a regional economy.

See Also

• Detroit
• Michigan
• Food and drink in Detroit