MAITLAND, Pa. (WHTM) \u2014 A snack staple of the Juniata Valley is changing hands after more than nine decades in the same family.<\/p>\n
The Hartley\u2019s Potato Chip Company, based Derry Township near Lewistown, has been sold, Dan Hartley and Kellie Johnson announced recently.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we step into this next chapter, we are grateful for the generations of customers, employees, and community members who have supported Hartley\u2019s,\u201d said siblings Dan and Kellie. \u201cThis company has been part of our family and our community\u2019s identity for decades. Passing that legacy on is something we take great pride in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill French is the new owner. He owns Wood-Mode, a cabinet manufacturer in Kreamer, Snyder County.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am very pleased to share that both Dan Hartley and Kellie Johnson will remain as part of the Hartley\u2019s operations, ensuring the same quality and taste of every chip packed at the facility,\u201d French said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill shares our deep appreciation for what makes Hartley\u2019s special,\u201d the siblings said. \u201cHis dedication to preserving Hartley\u2019s authentic recipes, small-batch process, and uncompromising standards gives us confidence that the brand will continue to thrive for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
French plans to modernize production, expand regional distribution, and strengthen customer engagement while maintaining the company\u2019s authenticity.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing that our customers can expect the same great taste, the same old-fashioned craftsmanship, and the same commitment to quality means everything to us,\u201d the Hartley\u2019s added. \u201cHartley\u2019s has always been more than just a great potato chip\u2014it\u2019s a piece of Pennsylvania snack history. We\u2019re proud to see that tradition continue.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company was founded in 1935 by Mr. and Mrs. J. Irvin Hartley and has remained in the family for 91 years. They operate a manufacturing plant in the Maitland section of Derry Township, about five miles east of Lewistown.<\/p>\n
Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV devices<\/a>, and newer Samsung Smart TVs.<\/a><\/p>\n A staple of the region, Hartley\u2019s Potato Chips is at the center of a Lewistown New Year\u2019s Eve tradition: the chip drop.<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n