Food Dive reported the development on 2025-11-03. The Zapp’s potato chips maker is buying distribution assets to expand its presence in the Golden State, the country's largest salty snack market.
The report places the news in a wider commercial context. Utz Brands is buying logistics infrastructure assets that will allow the snack maker to expand its presence in California, the country’s largest consumer of chips, pretzels and other salty offerings. The Pennsylvania-based company is buying direct store delivery routes across California from Insignia International for an undisclosed amount.
For the food sector, the practical implications extend beyond the immediate announcement. Howard Friedman, Utz’s CEO, told analysts last week that the company has just under 2% market share in California, with retail sales totaling about $79 million. “There's a big opportunity,” Friedman said.
Attention now turns to how companies, customers and regulators respond. The purchase also includes routes in the Midwest, along with other related assets. Utz, which owns On the Border and Zapp’s, along with its namesake products, spent much of its existence as a family-owned business with a major presence on the East Coast.
Food Dive
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