The Meade Potato Company - based in Meath, Ireland - has announced plans to invest €13m in a frozen chip plant at its site in Lobinstown.
Meade Irish Rooster Chips available at Tesco in Ireland
General manager Robert Devlin said that the company has already contracted local growers to supply 5,000t for chipping this year, with potential for up to 60,000t of annual contracts to come on stream over the coming years.
"We hope to increase our total employment by 20pc to 290 when the 6t/hr plant is fully operational," he said.
The 'straight cut' chips will be available in Tesco in 1.5kg packs this week.