Snyder's of Hanover
An American pretzel and snack brand rooted in a Hanover, Pennsylvania bakery founded in 1909.
Last updated October 17, 2026
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Overview
Snyder's of Hanover is an American snack brand and bakery distribution business best known for pretzels. Its origins extend to a bakery established by Harry Warehime in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in 1909. The business developed within a broader local snack-making tradition that later included potato chips and other packaged foods. In 1920, Eda and Edward Snyder began selling homemade fried potato chips to local businesses, adding another strand to the company's early food heritage. The Snyder name subsequently became associated with more than one snack business. In 1950, the original company was divided into two independent operations: Snyder's of Hanover and Snyder of Berlin. Although their names are similar, the two companies are distinct, and Snyder's of Hanover has stated through its packaging that it is no longer associated with Snyder of Berlin. Ownership also changed several times. Hanover Canning Company, later known as Hanover Brands and then Hanover Foods, acquired Snyder's of Hanover in 1961. The brand was spun off again as an independent company in 1981. Snyder's of Hanover has primarily built its identity around pretzels, including traditional pretzel shapes and other snack formats. Its products have been distributed throughout the United States and, according to reference material, have also reached Canada, parts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The brand's positioning centers on an established American bakery heritage, recognizable pretzel products, and broad retail distribution rather than on a narrow single-product specialty. The company expanded beyond its historic Hanover base through acquisitions and corporate combinations. In December 2007, it acquired the bankrupt Chicago snack maker Jays Foods and planned to continue producing and distributing the Jays product range across the Midwestern United States. In 2010, a proposed combination with Utz Quality Foods was blocked by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Later that year, Snyder's of Hanover announced a merger with Lance Inc. The resulting company, Snyder's-Lance, became a major U.S. snack-food group headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Campbell Soup Company announced in December 2017 that it would acquire Snyder's-Lance for approximately $4.9 billion. The transaction placed Snyder's of Hanover within Campbell's broader snack portfolio. The brand remains associated with pretzels and packaged snacks, while its corporate ownership and distribution infrastructure are tied to Campbell's post-acquisition business. Because the brand is part of a larger corporate group, publicly available information does not always distinguish Snyder's of Hanover financial performance from that of its parent or holding company.
History
Snyder's of Hanover traces its roots to a bakery founded in Hanover, Pennsylvania, by Harry Warehime in 1909. Hanover became an important setting for the brand's identity and remains part of its name. The business's early history reflects the development of regional American snack production, where baked goods, fried potato products, and other shelf-stable foods were sold through local stores and businesses. In 1920, Eda and Edward Snyder began selling homemade fried potato chips to various businesses. This activity broadened the food traditions associated with the Snyder name beyond bakery products and helped establish a connection with packaged snack foods. Over time, the Snyder name was used by separate companies. In 1950, the business was divided into Snyder's of Hanover and Snyder of Berlin. The two companies are independent of one another, despite their similar names; Snyder's of Hanover has used package labeling to clarify that it is no longer associated with Snyder of Berlin. Ownership changed again in 1961, when Hanover Canning Company acquired Snyder's of Hanover. Hanover Canning later became Hanover Brands and subsequently Hanover Foods. In 1981, Snyder's of Hanover was spun off as an independent company. This period established the brand as a distinct Hanover-based snack business rather than simply one division of a larger local food company. The company pursued geographic and product expansion in the 2000s. In December 2007, Snyder's of Hanover acquired Jays Foods, a Chicago-based snack producer that had entered bankruptcy. The stated plan was to continue producing and distributing Jays' full snack line in the Midwestern United States. The transaction expanded Snyder's presence beyond its traditional Hanover identity and gave it access to a recognized regional snack portfolio. In 2010, Snyder's of Hanover considered a combination with Utz Quality Foods, another Pennsylvania-associated snack company. The proposed transaction was blocked by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Later in July 2010, Snyder's of Hanover announced a merger with Lance Inc. The combined company was named Snyder's-Lance and was headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The merger created a larger snack-food group with a portfolio extending beyond Snyder's traditional pretzel business. Campbell Soup announced in December 2017 that it would acquire Snyder's-Lance for approximately $4.9 billion. The acquisition made Snyder's of Hanover part of Campbell's expanding snack operations. The brand's present corporate context is therefore different from its historical structure: the name continues to represent pretzels and related packaged snacks, while ownership and much of the corporate infrastructure sit within Campbell Soup's business. Reference material describes distribution in the United States, Canada, several European countries, Asia, and the Middle East, although the brand's strongest historical association remains the American market and its Hanover, Pennsylvania origins.
- 2017
Campbell Soup acquisition announced
[1]Campbell Soup announced its planned acquisition of Snyder's-Lance for approximately $4.9 billion.
- 2010
Merger with Lance
[1]Snyder's of Hanover merged with Lance Inc. to form Snyder's-Lance.
- 2007
Jays Foods acquisition
[1]The company acquired bankrupt Jays Foods of Chicago and planned to preserve distribution of its snack products in the Midwest.
- 1981
Spun off as an independent company
[1]Snyder's of Hanover was separated from Hanover Foods and operated again as an independent company.
- 1961
Acquired by Hanover Canning Company
[1]Hanover Canning Company acquired Snyder's of Hanover; the owner later became known as Hanover Brands and Hanover Foods.
- 1950
Snyder businesses separated
[1]The company was divided into Snyder's of Hanover and Snyder of Berlin, which became independent businesses.
- 1920
Snyder family begins selling potato chips
[1]Eda and Edward Snyder began selling homemade fried potato chips to local businesses.
- 1909
Hanover bakery established
[1]Harry Warehime established the bakery in Hanover, Pennsylvania, providing the foundation for the later Snyder's of Hanover snack business.
Products and positioning
A heritage American snack brand focused on pretzels and packaged bakery snacks, with an identity built around Hanover, Pennsylvania roots and extensive retail distribution.
Pretzel snacks
Snyder's of Hanover pretzels
Pretzels are the brand's defining product category and the clearest expression of its Hanover bakery heritage. The portfolio is associated with multiple traditional pretzel shapes and packaged snack formats, sold through retail distribution in the United States and international markets.
Potato snacks · 1920
Snyder's of Hanover potato chips
Potato chips are part of the broader snack-food history connected with the Snyder business. Eda and Edward Snyder were documented as selling homemade fried potato chips from 1920, helping establish the company's connection to packaged savory snacks beyond pretzels.
Regional packaged snacks
Jays snack products
Jays products entered the Snyder's of Hanover corporate portfolio through the 2007 acquisition of bankrupt Jays Foods. The planned strategy was to continue making and distributing the full Jays snack line across the Midwestern United States.
Brand decisions
2017
Campbell Soup agreement to acquire Snyder's-LanceM&ABackground
Snyder's of Hanover was operating as a brand within Snyder's-Lance when Campbell Soup pursued the snack company.
Action taken
Campbell Soup announced an agreement to acquire Snyder's-Lance for approximately $4.9 billion.
Aftermath
Snyder's of Hanover became part of Campbell Soup's snack portfolio and ceased to be associated with Snyder's-Lance as an independent corporate group.
announced acquisition value. $4.9 billion transaction value (December 2017 announcement)
2010
Proposed Utz combination blockedM&ABackground
Snyder's of Hanover and Utz Quality Foods were rival snack companies with overlapping regional and product-market positions.
Action taken
The proposed merger was blocked by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Aftermath
Snyder's of Hanover pursued a different combination later in the year, merging with Lance Inc. instead.
2010
Merger with Lance Inc.M&ABackground
Following the blocked Utz transaction, Snyder's of Hanover sought another route to scale its snack-food operations.
Action taken
The company merged with Lance Inc. to create Snyder's-Lance, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Aftermath
The merger formed a larger national snack company and placed the Snyder's of Hanover brand within the Snyder's-Lance portfolio.
2007
Acquisition of Jays FoodsM&ABackground
Jays Foods of Chicago had entered bankruptcy, creating an opportunity for Snyder's of Hanover to acquire the business and broaden its regional snack distribution.
Action taken
Snyder's of Hanover acquired Jays Foods and planned to continue producing and distributing the Jays snack range in the Midwestern United States.
Aftermath
The acquisition extended Snyder's activities into the Chicago and Midwestern snack markets, although the available reference material does not provide separate later financial results for Jays.
Sources2 sources
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