
Utz Brands shares the rituals and regional loyalties defining summer snacking, including a state-by-state chip flavor map that proves every American has a unique flavor identity


Summer is America&#39;s peak snacking

Utz Brands shares the rituals and regional loyalties defining summer snacking, including a state-by-state chip flavor map that proves every American has a unique flavor identity


Summer is America's peak snacking season, according to a new nationally representative survey from Utz Brands, Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, conducted by independent pollsters Censuswide.&#x2A; The findings reveal that nearly two-thirds of Americans (62.2%) snack at least once every day during the summer months and 30.5% reach for something salty multiple times a day. Just 1% report never snacking in summer, making it one of the most universally observed warm-weather rituals in the country.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/</a><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="bwbodyimg" style="width: 480px; float:left; padding-left:0px; padding-right:20px; padding-top:0px; padding-bottom:0px;"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" src="https://mms.businesswire.com/media/20260615970252/en/2831445/4/USA_Summer_Chip_Map_1080_x_1080.jpg" alt="Utz Brands, Inc. Survey: America&#39;s Snacking Index, Summer 2026"></img>Utz Brands, Inc. Survey: America&#39;s Snacking Index, Summer 2026</div>
The United Snacks of Summer survey of more than 2,500 U.S. consumers reveals the habits, occasions and a state-by-state flavor map that define how Americans snack from Memorial Day to Labor Day and every moment of summer fun in between. So, what are they reaching for?


Potato Chips Reign Supreme, But Which Flavor Is Up For Debate
 When asked to choose just one salty snack for the summer, 35.6% of Americans chose potato chips, more than double any other snacking category. But which flavor rules? The country is divided, with Original (18.7%), Sour Cream &amp; Onion (18.5%) and Barbecue (17.8%) all separated by less than one percentage point nationally. Salt &amp; Vinegar follows at 13.3%, with Jalapeño/Spicy (8.5%), Dill Pickle (6.6%), Ranch (5.6%) and Salt &amp; Pepper (4.4%) rounding out the field.


Flavor Preference Also Varies by Region and State
 While Original holds strong across the Northeast and Great Plains, Barbecue dominates across the South and parts of the Midwest. Salt &amp; Vinegar punches above its 13.3% national average as the favorite flavor in Arizona (24%), Montana (24%), Rhode Island (24%), Oregon (22%) and Virginia (22%).


And then there is Alaska, the only state in the nation where more than 1 in 5 people (22%) named Dill Pickle as their favorite, making Alaska the undisputed Dill Pickle chip capital of America.


When and Where America Snacks: Top Summer Occasions
 Nearly half of all American snackers (44.7%) reach for chips at a backyard barbecue or cookout, making it the No. 1 summer snacking occasion by a double-digit margin over any other event.


Late-night snacking at home (34.5%) and during Fourth of July celebrations (34.2%) round out the top three snack occasions, with road trips (27.5%) and picnics (24.3%) also ranking highly.


Barbecue chips were the undisputed winners of the Fourth of July picnic. Nationally, nearly one-third of Americans reach for Barbecue chips first on America's birthday.


The Snack Stack: America's Boldest Chip Pairings
 Whether it's a chip-stuffed PB&amp;J or a chip-topped scoop of ice cream, Gen Z and millennials are rewriting the rules of the snack stack. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (23.6%) say the most unusual thing they've ever put a chip on is a sandwich. Burgers and hot dogs came in second (13.2%), followed by soup or chili (10.3%) and ice cream or dessert (9.6%).


"Summer has always been the ultimate snacking season, and this survey confirms what we hear from snack lovers every year: when the sun comes out, so do the chips," said Stacey Schultz, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, Inc. "At Utz&#xAE;, we've been fueling America's summer snacking rituals for over a century, and we're turning up the heat this summer with bold limited-edition flavors like our Lemonade Chips and Summer Sizzlin' Burger Ripple Chips, made for every backyard barbecue, road trip, and yes, even late-night solo bag moment."


&#x2A;Survey Methodology: A nationally representative survey by independent pollsters Censuswide asked 2,523 U.S. consumers, ages 18-55+, about their summer snacking preferences from May 6 to May 12, 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. Censuswide adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.


About Utz Brands, Inc.


Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UTZ">UTZ</a>) manufactures a diverse portfolio of savory snacks through popular brands, including Utz&#xAE;, On The Border&#xAE; Chips &amp; Dips, Zapp's&#xAE; and Boulder Canyon&#xAE;, among others.


After over a century with a strong family heritage, Utz continues to have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from top-quality ingredients. Utz's products are distributed nationally through grocery, mass merchandisers, club, convenience, drug and other channels. Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Utz has multiple manufacturing facilities across the U.S. to serve its growing customer base. For more information, please visit <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.utzsnacks.com&amp;esheet=54554020&amp;newsitemid=20260615970252&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.utzsnacks.com&amp;index=1&amp;md5=4d9668c7c19945498ed94a7b7526720a" shape="rect">www.utzsnacks.com</a> or call 1‐800‐FOR‐SNAX.

<img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260615970252r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img>View source version on businesswire.com: <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/</a>
SPM Communications 
 Agency Media Contact
 Ashley Lennington
 <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:ashleyL@spmcommunications.com" shape="rect">ashleyL@spmcommunications.com 
</a> 
 Utz Brands, Inc. 
 Media
 Colleen Farley
 <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:Cfarley@utzsnacks.com" shape="rect">Cfarley@utzsnacks.com 
</a> 
 Utz Brands, Inc. 
 Investor
 Trevor Martin
 <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:tmartin@utzsnacks.com" shape="rect">tmartin@utzsnacks.com 
</a>

America's Snacking Season Is Here: New National Survey Reveals Americans Don't Stop Snacking All Summer Long

UTZ Sees Strong Summer Snacking Trends With Bold Limited-Edition Flavors

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
 <section data-block="information">
 <h3>Information</h3>
 Utz Brands shares the rituals and regional loyalties defining summer snacking, including a state-by-state chip flavor map that proves every American has a unique flavor identity


Summer is America&amp;#39;s peak snacking
 </section>

 <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
 <h3>AI Summary</h3>
 UTZ Brands released a nationally representative summer-snacking survey showing 62.2% of Americans snack daily and 30.5% snack salty multiple times daily. The data underpins regional flavor preferences and spotlights UTZ&#039;s Lemonade Chips and Summer Sizzlin&#039; Burger Ripple Chips as summer-driven product activations, signaling potential near-term sales momentum through new flavors and seasonal demand.
 </section>

 <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
 <h3>Key Points</h3>
 <ul><li>UTZ releases Censuswide summer-snacking survey. 62.2% snack daily.</li><li>30.5% snack salty multiple times daily; 1% never snack.</li><li>Flavor map shows regional preferences; Barbecue strong in the South.</li><li>Lemonade Chips and Summer Sizzlin&#039; Burger Ripple Chips highlighted.</li><li>Survey: 2,523 U.S. consumers; May 6-12, 2026.</li></ul>
 </section>

 <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
 <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
 <ul><li>Utz Brands, Inc. (UTZ): Core subject; survey-driven summer demand could support stock sentiment and marketing-led growth.</li><li>Mondelez International (MDLZ): Peers in snacks; broader category tailwinds may influence valuation and multiple expansion.</li><li>PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP): Large snack portfolio; data-driven demand shifts could affect margins and product mix.</li><li>Campbell Soup Company (CPB): Indirect exposure to snacking trends; potential minor upside from broader snacking recovery.</li></ul>
 </section>

 <section data-block="category">
 <h3>Industry News</h3>
 Industry News. The release highlights consumer-snacking dynamics and UTZ&#039;s flavor strategy, aligning with marketing-driven growth themes in the packaged foods/snacks space.
 </section>

 <section data-block="market-moving">
 <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
 <ul><li>Summer snacking peak supports category demand and UTZ&#039;s exposure to impulse purchases.</li><li>Limited-edition flavors may boost summer-through-fall volume and mix.</li><li>Regional flavor preferences could lift UTZ brand momentum in key states.</li><li>Credible Censuswide methodology reinforces seasonal demand signals.</li></ul>
 </section>

 <section data-block="key-facts">
 <h3>Key Facts</h3>
 <ul><li>Survey size: 2,523 consumers.</li><li>Dates: May 6-12, 2026.</li><li>62.2% snack daily in summer.</li><li>Potato chips top choice at 35.6%.</li><li>Alaska&#039;s Dill Pickle favorite: 22%.</li></ul>
 </section>

 <section data-block="trading-thesis">
 <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
 Near-term upside for UTZ on summer demand and flavor launches, potential Q3 uplift.
 </section>
</section>



Utz Brands shares the rituals and regional loyalties defining summer snacking, including a state-by-state chip flavor map that proves every American has a unique flavor identity


Summer is America's peak snacking season, according to a new nationally representative survey from Utz Brands, Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, conducted by independent pollsters Censuswide.&#x2A; The findings reveal that nearly two-thirds of Americans (62.2%) snack at least once every day during the summer months and 30.5% reach for something salty multiple times a day. Just 1% report never snacking in summer, making it one of the most universally observed warm-weather rituals in the country.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/</a><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="bwbodyimg" style="width: 480px; float:left; padding-left:0px; padding-right:20px; padding-top:0px; padding-bottom:0px;"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" src="https://mms.businesswire.com/media/20260615970252/en/2831445/4/USA_Summer_Chip_Map_1080_x_1080.jpg" alt="Utz Brands, Inc. Survey: America&#39;s Snacking Index, Summer 2026"></img>Utz Brands, Inc. Survey: America&#39;s Snacking Index, Summer 2026</div>
The United Snacks of Summer survey of more than 2,500 U.S. consumers reveals the habits, occasions and a state-by-state flavor map that define how Americans snack from Memorial Day to Labor Day and every moment of summer fun in between. So, what are they reaching for?


Potato Chips Reign Supreme, But Which Flavor Is Up For Debate
 When asked to choose just one salty snack for the summer, 35.6% of Americans chose potato chips, more than double any other snacking category. But which flavor rules? The country is divided, with Original (18.7%), Sour Cream &amp; Onion (18.5%) and Barbecue (17.8%) all separated by less than one percentage point nationally. Salt &amp; Vinegar follows at 13.3%, with Jalapeño/Spicy (8.5%), Dill Pickle (6.6%), Ranch (5.6%) and Salt &amp; Pepper (4.4%) rounding out the field.


Flavor Preference Also Varies by Region and State
 While Original holds strong across the Northeast and Great Plains, Barbecue dominates across the South and parts of the Midwest. Salt &amp; Vinegar punches above its 13.3% national average as the favorite flavor in Arizona (24%), Montana (24%), Rhode Island (24%), Oregon (22%) and Virginia (22%).


And then there is Alaska, the only state in the nation where more than 1 in 5 people (22%) named Dill Pickle as their favorite, making Alaska the undisputed Dill Pickle chip capital of America.


When and Where America Snacks: Top Summer Occasions
 Nearly half of all American snackers (44.7%) reach for chips at a backyard barbecue or cookout, making it the No. 1 summer snacking occasion by a double-digit margin over any other event.


Late-night snacking at home (34.5%) and during Fourth of July celebrations (34.2%) round out the top three snack occasions, with road trips (27.5%) and picnics (24.3%) also ranking highly.


Barbecue chips were the undisputed winners of the Fourth of July picnic. Nationally, nearly one-third of Americans reach for Barbecue chips first on America's birthday.


The Snack Stack: America's Boldest Chip Pairings
 Whether it's a chip-stuffed PB&amp;J or a chip-topped scoop of ice cream, Gen Z and millennials are rewriting the rules of the snack stack. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (23.6%) say the most unusual thing they've ever put a chip on is a sandwich. Burgers and hot dogs came in second (13.2%), followed by soup or chili (10.3%) and ice cream or dessert (9.6%).


"Summer has always been the ultimate snacking season, and this survey confirms what we hear from snack lovers every year: when the sun comes out, so do the chips," said Stacey Schultz, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of Utz Brands, Inc. "At Utz&#xAE;, we've been fueling America's summer snacking rituals for over a century, and we're turning up the heat this summer with bold limited-edition flavors like our Lemonade Chips and Summer Sizzlin' Burger Ripple Chips, made for every backyard barbecue, road trip, and yes, even late-night solo bag moment."


&#x2A;Survey Methodology: A nationally representative survey by independent pollsters Censuswide asked 2,523 U.S. consumers, ages 18-55+, about their summer snacking preferences from May 6 to May 12, 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. Censuswide adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.


About Utz Brands, Inc.


Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/UTZ">UTZ</a>) manufactures a diverse portfolio of savory snacks through popular brands, including Utz&#xAE;, On The Border&#xAE; Chips &amp; Dips, Zapp's&#xAE; and Boulder Canyon&#xAE;, among others.


After over a century with a strong family heritage, Utz continues to have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from top-quality ingredients. Utz's products are distributed nationally through grocery, mass merchandisers, club, convenience, drug and other channels. Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Utz has multiple manufacturing facilities across the U.S. to serve its growing customer base. For more information, please visit <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.utzsnacks.com&amp;esheet=54554020&amp;newsitemid=20260615970252&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.utzsnacks.com&amp;index=1&amp;md5=4d9668c7c19945498ed94a7b7526720a" shape="rect">www.utzsnacks.com</a> or call 1‐800‐FOR‐SNAX.

<img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" alt="" src="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260615970252r1&amp;sid=benz2&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en" style="width:0;height:0"></img>View source version on businesswire.com: <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615970252/en/</a>
SPM Communications 
 Agency Media Contact
 Ashley Lennington
 <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:ashleyL@spmcommunications.com" shape="rect">ashleyL@spmcommunications.com 
</a> 
 Utz Brands, Inc. 
 Media
 Colleen Farley
 <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:Cfarley@utzsnacks.com" shape="rect">Cfarley@utzsnacks.com 
</a> 
 Utz Brands, Inc. 
 Investor
 Trevor Martin
 <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" rel="nofollow" href="mailto:tmartin@utzsnacks.com" shape="rect">tmartin@utzsnacks.com 
</a>

UTZ Brands released a nationally representative summer-snacking survey showing 62.2% of Americans snack daily and 30.5% snack salty multiple times daily. The data underpins regional flavor preferences and spotlights UTZ's Lemonade Chips and Summer Sizzlin' Burger Ripple Chips as summer-driven product activations, signaling potential near-term sales momentum through new flavors and seasonal demand.

America's Snacking Season Is Here: New National Survey Reveals Americans Don't Stop Snacking All Summer Long

AI Summary

Sentiment Rationale

Trading Thesis

Market-Moving

Key Facts

Companies Mentioned

Industry News

Related News