While PepsiCo, along with its number one rival Coca-Cola, might be facing battles in India over the banning of its sodas, the company is relying on a slightly different segment of their business to fuel their overseas growth: potato chips.
They may seem trite here in the United States, but potato chips are easy to modify to local cultural cuisines. We may think Spicy Thai flavored Kettle Chips are exotic, but in the country of Thailand, Lay's, owned by PepsiCo, sells seaweed flavored potato chips. And its not just potato chips either, The seaweed flavor is on Doritos in Taiwan. Some of the other local flavors are:
- UK - Lamb and Mint flavor, Beef and Onion Flavor, Pickled Onion flavor, a puffed snack with Spicy Tandoori Masala flavor and Cool Yoghurt and Mint flavor
- India - The Chaat Street line reflects the flavors of street vendor snacks
- China - Cool Cucumber and Cool Lemon chips
- Brazil - Shrimp Cocktail flavor
The local flavors travel across boundaries, too. Lays "Mediterraneans," fried in olive oil with flavors like Feta cheese and Tomato and Basil, did well in South America. I just wish they'd sell some of those more interesting flavors here in the US.
What Can I Get You Folks? - Eating Out for Thanksgiving
In Defense of Guy Fieri
'Top Chef Vegas' - And Then There Were Five
