Ohio boasts second-most potato chip manufacturers in the US

Frito Lay. Ballreich's. Mike-sell's. Conn's. Grippo's.

At least 10 potato-chip companies fry and kettle-cook their potato chips in the Ohio, giving the state the distinction of having the second-most chip makers in the country.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates there are only about 92 plants nationwide. Frito Lay has a network of 32, meaning Ohio is home to 15 percent of the potato-chip companies in the U.S. Neighboring Pennsylvania has the most, with 24 companies, according to that state's agriculture department.

People here are partial to their regional chips. Cleveland and Akron residents love their Shearer's. The Toledo area has Ballreich's. Central Ohio has Conn's in Zanesville. North Central has Jones' in Mansfield. Mike-sell's is in Dayton. Grippo's is a favorite in Cincinnati.

Then there are Herr's and Frito Lay, two companies based outside the state, but operating plants here.

"Ohio has got some really good cookers and everybody is trying to get bigger,"said Callie Haplea, director of sales and marketing for Anchor's Chip of the Month Club in Toledo. "And people are so particular about their chips."

The production of potato chips is a $6.3 billion industry in the U.S.