Discover Each State’s Favorite Potato Chips for Fourth of July Celebrations

As Americans prepare for barbecues, fireworks, and festive gatherings on the Fourth of July, food remains at the center of the celebration. Alongside staples like hot dogs, watermelon, and baked beans, one salty snack stands out as a crowd favorite: potato chips.

To uncover the country’s chip preferences, Instacart analyzed grocery orders placed between June 28 and July 4, 2024. Their report not only highlights national trends but also reveals fascinating regional loyalties — with some states overwhelmingly favoring local chip brands.

Ruffles Leads Nationally — But Local Chips Dominate Regionally

According to Alex Orellana, Instacart’s trends analyst, potato chips aren’t just a holiday treat — they’re a year-round favorite that spikes in popularity around Independence Day. While Ruffles emerged as the most commonly ordered brand across the highest number of states, other regions show strong preference for homegrown favorites.

“One of the most surprising and fun findings was how strongly some local chip brands resonated in their regions,” said Orellana.

Take Hawaiian Kettle Style Chips, for example — they were more than 2,500% more likely to be ordered in Hawaii than in any other state, demonstrating an intense sense of local pride.

The Most Popular Chips by State

Instacart’s data focused on which brand had the highest order share difference between a specific state and the national average. This metric helps surface the most distinct chip preference in each state.

Some key highlights include:

  • Cape Cod Chips: Most ordered in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine

  • Zapp’s: Dominant in Louisiana and Georgia

  • Boulder Canyon: A favorite in Colorado

  • Utz: Leading in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the Carolinas

“It’s fascinating how taste and tradition can vary so much across the country, even during a shared celebration like the Fourth of July,” Orellana added.

A Salty Snapshot of American Identity

While everyone might enjoy fireworks and burgers, your chip of choice could say a lot about where you’re from. This report offers a flavorful glimpse into regional identity, where loyalty to local brands is strong—even when national labels dominate shelf space.

To dive deeper into this crunchy data and learn about other popular Independence Day foods, you can read Instacart’s full report, which also includes methodology behind the rankings.

Source: The Huff Post