Mister Bee Potato Chips
A West Virginia potato-chip brand produced in Parkersburg by West Virginia Potato Chip Company, LLC.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Mister Bee Potato Chips is an American regional snack-food brand associated with West Virginia Potato Chip Company, LLC, a potato-chip manufacturer based in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Leo and Sara Klein established the business in 1951, initially making chips in the morning and distributing them locally that same afternoon. The company developed around a distinctly local identity, later using the slogan “200 miles fresher” to emphasize the short distance between production and consumers compared with chips shipped from outside the region. The business began on Mary Street in Parkersburg and moved to West Virginia Avenue in November 1962. By the end of 1972, it had grown into a business with approximately $1 million in sales, although the available reference material does not identify the period’s accounting basis beyond that description. Leo Klein continued operating the company until his death in 1979. The Klein family remained involved afterward: Alan Klein became chief executive officer in 1988, and Alan’s son Doug later served as president and chief operating officer. Mister Bee encountered serious operational and financial problems in 2010 and 2011. Distribution difficulties were acknowledged in 2011, production was suspended in November, and the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 21, 2011. James Richard “Rick” Barton and Randall Holden acquired the company’s assets in 2012, allowing locally produced chips to return to stores in late April of that year. By 2013, the operating business was using the name West Virginia Potato Chip Company. It remained the only potato-chip manufacturer identified in the reference material as operating in West Virginia. A cooker fire later forced another interruption at the Parkersburg facility. During the reconstruction, the company installed a new fryer and upgraded its manufacturing area at a reported cost of $2.6 million. Jones Potato Chips of Mansfield, Ohio, temporarily produced Mister Bee chips while the Parkersburg plant was being renovated. Mary Anne Ketelsen became majority owner in 2015 and took over day-to-day operations in May 2018. She invested more than $2 million in equipment, an expansion that more than tripled production capacity. The company employed 47 people by June 2021. Kevin Holden, founder and chief executive officer of Bite Brands, became the company’s majority owner around May 1, 2023, while Ketelsen remained an owner. The brand continues to focus on regional retail distribution while also expanding private-label and co-packing work for other customers. Its product range has included traditional salted chips as well as flavors tied to West Virginia food culture and identity, including pepperoni roll, 304 Style, and Mothman varieties. In 2024, the company collaborated with Tudor’s Biscuit World on a Biscuits and Gravy flavor, directing part of the sales proceeds to Make-A-Wish West Virginia. Mister Bee introduced Mothman Style in March 2025. The brand’s present positioning remains centered on locally manufactured, regionally recognizable potato chips rather than national-scale distribution.
History
Leo and Sara Klein founded Mister Bee Potato Chip Company in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1951. The early operation was highly local: chips were produced in the morning and distributed by Leo Klein during the afternoon. The company initially operated on Mary Street before moving to West Virginia Avenue in November 1962. By the end of 1972, it had become a business described as worth approximately $1 million. Leo Klein remained in charge until his death in 1979. The Klein family continued to influence the business. Alan Klein became chief executive officer in 1988, and his son Doug later served as president and chief operating officer. The company’s regional identity was reinforced by the “200 miles fresher” slogan, which presented local production as an advantage over potato chips transported from distant manufacturers. Mister Bee experienced financial and distribution problems beginning in 2010. In 2011, the company acknowledged distribution issues, halted production in November, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 21. Rick Barton and Randall Holden acquired the company’s assets in 2012. Production in Parkersburg resumed, and locally made products returned to stores in late April. By 2013, the business was operating under the name West Virginia Potato Chip Company. The company is identified in the reference material as West Virginia’s only potato-chip manufacturer. A subsequent fire affecting the plant’s cooker caused another production suspension. The company used the interruption to install a new fryer and modernize the manufacturing area. The reported cost of the work was $2.6 million. While the Parkersburg facility was unavailable, Jones Potato Chips in Mansfield, Ohio, temporarily produced Mister Bee chips so that the brand could continue serving its market. Mary Anne Ketelsen became majority owner in 2015 and took direct responsibility for day-to-day operations in May 2018. She invested more than $2 million in equipment, increasing production capacity by more than three times. The company employed 47 people by June 2021. During the summer of 2021, the chips were temporarily distributed in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., from July through Labor Day. The company also developed beyond its own branded range. By 2022, it was producing private-label and co-packed chips and had announced an expansion of that activity. Kevin Holden, founder and chief executive officer of Bite Brands, became majority owner around May 1, 2023, while Ketelsen retained an ownership interest. The product portfolio has included Salty Original, 1951 Recipe, Dip Style, 304 Style, Pepperoni Roll, barbecue, sour cream and onion, and Mothman varieties. The 304 Style and Pepperoni Roll products were available by October 2023. In January 2024, Mister Bee worked with Tudor’s Biscuit World on a Biscuits and Gravy flavor and contributed part of the sales to Make-A-Wish West Virginia. Mothman Style was introduced in March 2025. The brand remains a regional producer whose identity is closely tied to West Virginia manufacturing, local flavors, and Appalachian distribution.
- 2025
Mothman Style introduced
[1]The company introduced its Mothman-themed potato-chip variety in March.
- 2024
Biscuits and Gravy collaboration
[1]Mister Bee launched a Tudor’s Biscuit World collaboration supporting Make-A-Wish West Virginia through a portion of sales.
- 2023
Kevin Holden becomes majority owner
[1]Kevin Holden became majority owner around May 1, while Mary Anne Ketelsen remained an owner.
- 2022
Private-label and co-packing expansion
[1]The company was producing private-label and co-packed chips and announced an expansion of that business.
- 2021
Temporary expansion into nearby markets
[1]From July through Labor Day, the brand was temporarily distributed in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.; the company employed 47 people by June.
- 2018
Ketelsen assumes day-to-day operations
[1]Ketelsen took over daily operations in May and began a major equipment investment program.
- 2015
Mary Anne Ketelsen becomes majority owner
[1]Ketelsen became the company’s majority owner.
- 2013
Business operates as West Virginia Potato Chip Company
[1]The operating business began using the West Virginia Potato Chip Company name.
- 2012
Assets acquired and local production restored
[1]Rick Barton and Randall Holden acquired the assets, with locally produced chips returning to stores in late April.
- 2011
Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
[1]Following distribution difficulties and a production suspension, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection on November 21.
Products and positioning
A locally produced West Virginia snack brand emphasizing regional heritage, freshness, distinctive flavors, and proximity to its core Appalachian market.
Potato chips
Salty Original
A core Mister Bee offering centered on the familiar salted potato-chip format and the brand’s traditional regional grocery and convenience-store business.
Potato chips
1951 Recipe
A heritage-positioned variety named for the year the company was founded. The product connects the contemporary portfolio with the brand’s original Parkersburg history.
Potato chips
Dip Style
A thicker or dip-oriented chip style designed for use with dips and other snack accompaniments. The reference material identifies it as part of the company’s product catalog.
Flavored potato chips · 2023
304 Style
A variety whose name refers to West Virginia’s telephone area code. It was being sold by October 2023 and uses regional identity as part of its product naming.
Flavored potato chips · 2023
Pepperoni Roll
A flavor inspired by the pepperoni roll, a food strongly associated with West Virginia. The variety extends Mister Bee’s use of locally recognizable foods as flavor concepts.
Flavored potato chips
Barbecue
A conventional barbecue-seasoned chip included in the brand’s catalog alongside its more specifically West Virginia-oriented varieties.
Flavored potato chips
Sour Cream and Onion
A sour-cream-and-onion seasoned potato chip representing a familiar national snack flavor within Mister Bee’s regional portfolio.
Collaborative flavored potato chips · 2024
Biscuits and Gravy
A limited or collaborative flavor developed with Tudor’s Biscuit World in January 2024. The collaboration also incorporated a charitable component benefiting Make-A-Wish West Virginia.
Flavored potato chips · 2025
Mothman Style
A variety introduced in March 2025 and themed around Mothman, a figure associated with West Virginia folklore and tourism. It reinforces the brand’s use of regional cultural references.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Tudor’s Biscuit World Biscuits and Gravy collaboration
West Virginia
Mister Bee collaborated with Tudor’s Biscuit World on a Biscuits and Gravy potato-chip flavor, combining two recognizable West Virginia food brands.
Outcome. A portion of sales was directed to Make-A-Wish West Virginia.
- 200 miles fresher
West Virginia · Ohio
The brand used the “200 miles fresher” slogan to communicate the perceived freshness and regional advantage of locally manufactured chips.
Brand decisions
2025
Mothman Style launchProduct launchBackground
The brand continued developing flavors based on West Virginia cultural identity.
Action taken
Mister Bee introduced Mothman Style potato chips in March 2025.
2024
Biscuits and Gravy flavor launchProduct launchBackground
Mister Bee pursued a collaborative product tied to a recognizable West Virginia food institution.
Action taken
The company launched a Biscuits and Gravy variety with Tudor’s Biscuit World.
Aftermath
The collaboration included a charitable contribution to Make-A-Wish West Virginia.
2023
Majority ownership changes to Kevin HoldenM&ABackground
The company continued under private ownership after its earlier restructuring and capacity investments.
Action taken
Kevin Holden became majority owner around May 1, 2023; Mary Anne Ketelsen retained an ownership stake.
Aftermath
The brand continued operating under West Virginia Potato Chip Company, LLC.
2022
Expansion into private-label and co-packingStrategyBackground
The company sought to use its manufacturing capabilities beyond the Mister Bee-branded range.
Action taken
West Virginia Potato Chip Company expanded its production of private-label and co-packed chips.
Aftermath
The business broadened its role from regional brand owner and manufacturer to a supplier for other labels.
2018
Capacity expansion under Mary Anne KetelsenStrategyBackground
After becoming majority owner in 2015, Ketelsen assumed daily operating responsibility in May 2018.
Action taken
The company invested more than $2 million in equipment and expanded production capacity.
Aftermath
The investment more than tripled production capacity.
Equipment investment. More than $2 million (2018 expansion program)
2012
Asset acquisition by Rick Barton and Randall HoldenM&ABackground
The financially troubled business required new ownership after its bankruptcy filing.
Action taken
James Richard “Rick” Barton and Randall Holden purchased the company’s assets.
Aftermath
Local production resumed, and the operating business later used the West Virginia Potato Chip Company name.
2011
Chapter 11 restructuringOtherBackground
Distribution problems and financial difficulties culminated in a production suspension and a Chapter 11 filing.
Action taken
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 21, 2011.
Aftermath
The company’s assets were purchased in 2012, and locally produced chips returned to stores later that year.
- Plant modernization after cooker fireStrategy
Background
A fire affecting the Parkersburg cooker forced a temporary production shutdown.
Action taken
The company installed a new fryer and upgraded the manufacturing area, while Jones Potato Chips temporarily produced Mister Bee chips.
Aftermath
Production was intended to return to the upgraded Parkersburg facility.
Reported plant and equipment investment. $2.6 million (During post-fire plant renovations)
Sources1 sources
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