Food Wars: Lay's vs Walkers

Introduction

• Exploration of differences between Lay's (US) and Walkers (UK).
• Walkers was once an independent company, acquired by Frito-Lay in 1989.
• Brand loyalty retained by keeping the Walkers name in the UK.

Portion Sizes

• Walkers UK:

  • Multipack: 25g
  • 32.5g, 45g, 65g, 175g, 78g, 226g, 368g (party size)
  • Largest bag in UK is 110% smaller than the largest in US.

• Lay's US:

  • Flavored bags weigh less than original (e.g., salt and vinegar: 7.75oz vs classic: 8oz).
  • Price per ounce higher for flavored chips due to added seasoning.

Chip Contents

• Walkers: Flavored bags same weight as ready-salted.
• Lay's: Flavored bags have less weight, raising questions about pricing.

Chip Counting Experiment

• Harry counted chips in a 25g Walkers bag.
• Found 22 chips instead of expected 15 (noted differences in chip sizes).

Air in Bags

• Walkers notorious for underfilling bags.
• 90% of a 25g Walkers bag estimated as wasted space (filled with nitrogen for preservation).

Unique Flavors and Products

• UK Exclusive Flavors:

  • Cheese and onion, prawn cocktail, Marmite, pickled onion, roast chicken, smoky bacon.

• US Exclusive Flavors:

  • Cheddar jalapeño, barbecue, Flamin' Hot, chili lime, Southern heat.

• Promotional Flavors in UK:

  • Fish and chip, Madras curry, Thai green curry, chicken burrito.

Healthier Options

• Walkers Baked: Available in UK, marketed as healthier.
• Lay's Better for You: Available in the US, includes lightly salted options.

Ingredients and Health Comparison

• Classic Chips: Both Walkers and Lay's made of potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt.
• Flavoring Differences:
  • UK has potassium chloride in some flavors; US has caramel color in barbecue flavors.
• Caloric Comparison:
  • 28g Lay's contain 160 calories.
  • 28g Walkers contain 147 calories (healthier per gram).

Conclusion

• Chips may not be as unhealthy as perceived; moderation advised.
• Varied flavors and options between Lay's and Walkers showcase cultural differences.