PLANO, Texas, Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Four delicious potato chip flavors representing cities and towns across America have taken the snack aisle by storm this summer, competing for a chance to be the next Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest winner. Following millions of consumer votes cast, the moment has arrived: Lay's — one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division — today announced Lay's Southern Biscuits and Gravy flavored potato chips as this year's "Do Us A Flavor" champion. Hailey Green, who submitted the idea for Lay's Southern Biscuits and Gravy, will take home a $1 million grand prize or one percent of her winning flavor's net sales through July 15, 2016 (whichever is higher). Lay's Southern Biscuits and Gravy flavored chips also will remain on store shelves following the completion of the contest.
TV personality, multiplatinum recording artist and restaurateur Nick Lachey joined the Lay's brand to crown Green the grand prize winner. Earlier this summer, Lachey joined the Lay's brand for a cross-country adventure to surprise all four finalists at their doorsteps, letting them know their potato chip dreams were about to become reality. To see how the surprises came to life, visit www.DoUsAFlavor.com.
"As we bring this year's competition to a close, one thing is certain: America is a country full of amazing flavors," said Jeff Klein, vice president of marketing, Frito-Lay North America. "We congratulate Hailey on her victory, and all of the fans who will continue to enjoy this winning flavor on store shelves."
As a travel agent, Green has many opportunities to sample local flavors when exploring a new city. She has a great appreciation for each locale's "homemade style," because it reminds her of her own childhood, filled with memories of eating southern food in her grandmother's kitchen. One of Green's favorite dishes is biscuits and gravy — a recipe that was handed down in her family generation after generation. Not surprisingly, this family-favorite also inspired her million-dollar winning potato chip idea.
The three runner-up finalists: Angie Fu from Irvine, Calif., who submitted West Coast Truffle Fries; Jeff Solensky from DuBois, Pa., who submitted New York Reuben; and James Wagner from Wichita Falls, Texas, who submitted Greektown Gyro each will receive $50,000 in prize money.
Given the tremendous excitement consumers showed for all four finalist flavors, the Lay's brand also announced today it will look for opportunities to bring one or more of the three runner-up flavors back to store shelves for limited-time appearances following the completion of the contest. Consumers are invited to stay tuned at http://www.facebook.com/lays for the latest details.
About the Contest
PepsiCo has held "Do Us A Flavor" contests in numerous countries with consumers suggesting millions of ideas for chips flavors around the world. In July 2012, the Lay's brand launched its first "Do Us A Flavor" contest in the U.S., which resulted in Lay's Cheesy Garlic Bread submitted by Karen Weber-Mendham, a children's librarian from Land O'Lakes, Wis., being selected as the first million-dollar winner. The contest returned to the U.S. for a second time in January 2014 with Lay's Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger, submitted by Meneko Spigner McBeth of Deptford, N.J., crowned the winner.
From July 27 through October 18, 2015, consumers were invited to vote for their favorite finalist flavor on www.DoUsAFlavor.com; via Twitter and Instagram; and/or via text message, which resulted in Lay's Southern Biscuits and Gravy flavored chips being named the winning flavor.
More details and official contest rules are available at www.DoUsAFlavor.com.
About Lay's
Lay's potato chips is one of the billion-dollar brands that makes up Frito-Lay North America, the $14 billion convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, N.Y. Learn more about Lay's by visiting www.facebook.com/lays or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lays. You can also follow Lay's on Instagram by visiting http://instagram.com/lays.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2014, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
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SOURCE Frito-Lay North America