Peerless Potato Chips
Gone. Peerless closed in June 2017 after the bankruptcy of Central Grocers, its main distributor, which the owner called "the straw that broke the camel's back." The brand was sold in 2020, but its new owners went looking for investors and no relaunch has reached stores.
Last verified Nov 2, 2026
Gary, Indiana's own potato chip, cooked in vegetable shortening and run by the same family for almost 90 years. In 2017 its main distributor went bankrupt, and the little chip factory went down with it.
Filed under: Snacks & Chips · the ’70s & earlier
📅 Timeline
- 1928John N. Hogg founded Peerless Potato Chips in Gary, Indiana.
- 1958The company built a new plant across the street from its original home on West 11th Avenue.
- 1969The founder's son took over running the company.
- 2008Peerless marked its 80th year in Gary.
- 2017In June, Peerless closed and laid off about 15 workers after Central Grocers, its main distributor, went bankrupt.
- 2020The Peerless brand was acquired, but by late 2021 its new owners were looking for a buyer or investors.
❓ People also ask
Why did Peerless Potato Chips close?
Its main distributor, Central Grocers, went bankrupt in 2017. The owner called that the straw that broke the camel's back, and Peerless shut down that June after 89 years.
Can you still buy Peerless chips?
No. The brand changed hands in 2020, and a local businessman later said he hoped to revive it, but no Peerless chips have gone back on sale. An unrelated private-label company also uses the Peerless name.
How were Peerless chips made?
They were cooked in vegetable shortening at the family's small plant in Gary, built in 1958 across the street from the original.
🧾 Sources
- Inside Indiana Business, Potato Chip Maker Closes Its Doors (2017)
- Indianapolis Business Journal (Associated Press), Indiana potato chip factory closes doors after 89 years (2017)
- Northwest Indiana Business Magazine, Peerless Potato Chips (2014)
- Inside Indiana Business, Popcorn World Owner Looking Toward Evolution (2021)