Great Lakes Potato Chips

Great Lakes Potato Chips is a small-batch, artisan kettle chip manufacturer based just outside of Traverse City, Michigan. Founded in 2009 by Ed Girrbach and his son Chris, the company was built on a straightforward premise: source fresh, high-quality Michigan potatoes and craft them into exceptional kettle chips using traditional, hands-on methods. The founders famously began operations by hauling 1,500-pound crates of potatoes in a pickup truck directly from Michigan farms, reflecting a commitment to local sourcing and close relationships with agricultural suppliers that continues to define the brand.

The company specializes exclusively in kettle-style potato chips, produced in small batches at its Michigan facility. The manufacturing process encompasses the full production cycle — washing, slicing, kettle-cooking, seasoning, and packaging — all completed in-house with an emphasis on craft quality over mass production. A distinctive product feature is the skin-on style, which the company maintains not for nutritional marketing purposes but for the enhanced, full-bodied flavor profile it delivers. This differentiates Great Lakes Potato Chips from conventional chip brands that remove the skin prior to processing.

Sourcing is a cornerstone of the brand's identity. Nearly all potatoes used in production are Michigan-grown, supporting local agriculture and ensuring freshness and traceability from field to finished product. The small-batch approach allows for careful quality control at every stage of production, resulting in a consistently crunchy texture and robust flavor that has earned strong consumer loyalty across multiple flavor varieties, including BBQ and others.

Great Lakes Potato Chips targets retail consumers who seek premium, regionally crafted snack products as an alternative to mass-market chip brands. The company has gained regional recognition and media attention, including a feature on the television program 'Small Town, Big Deal,' which highlighted its unique manufacturing story and local roots. Consumer reviews frequently cite the chips' superior crunch, thickness, and flavor intensity as key purchase drivers.

Operating from northern Michigan, the brand embodies a Midwestern work ethic and a field-to-table philosophy. Its product line appeals to snack enthusiasts, specialty food retailers, and consumers interested in locally sourced and artisanally produced food products. The combination of regional potato sourcing, small-batch kettle cooking, skin-on processing, and a compelling founding story positions Great Lakes Potato Chips as a differentiated player in the premium snack segment.