Idaho’s potatoes are world-famous, but for many years, they weren’t a staple in potato chip production. Kyle Nehring, CEO of Teton Valley Brands, changed this by giving snack lovers an authentic taste of Idaho’s delicious potatoes.

Since Teton Valley Brands was founded, the company has gone from packaging its products in the owner’s basement to placing its tasty chips in hundreds of stores across 10 states.  

Nehring shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey and explains his deep roots in Idaho.

What do you want people to know about your small business?

“We’re proud of our history in being Idaho’s first potato chip company! Our brand name comes from my family’s roots in Idaho, going back to 1904 when my great-grandfather started a farm in Eastern Idaho by the Tetons.

We have a classic startup story, going from operating in our basement to running a processing plant in Nampa, Idaho, where our chips go from raw potatoes to package in only 15 minutes. We have grown year over year for the past seven years.

We love being part of Idaho’s food industry and our goal is to build Teton Valley Brands into an iconic legacy company for the Gem State. We’re opening a second facility soon and look forward to future growth.” 

What sets Teton Valley Brands apart from competitors?

“We use non-GMO certified Idaho potatoes with natural ingredients that create an unforgettable taste. We use a sunflower oil high in monounsaturated fats, which is known to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Our chips are free from artificial colors, flavorings and preservatives and use Rocky Mountain Salt packed with natural minerals and bursting with flavor.

We also source our potatoes from local Idahoans who have farmed for generations, which includes our recent partner Cranney Farms. We’re grateful for the chance to represent Idaho to a broader market and create opportunities for our friends and neighbors.” 

What makes Idaho potatoes the perfect choice for snack lovers?

“Certified Idaho potatoes are rarely used in potato chips, despite having an incredible amount of flavor and variety. Thanks to our state’s environment — rich volcanic soil, warm days and low rainfall during the growing season – Idaho potatoes have consistent texture and crisp up well for chips. When we process these potatoes, we also keep the seasoning process simple so the natural flavor shines through.”  

As an Idaho-grown brand, how do you stay connected to your community?

“We’re members of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and look for opportunities to help our fellow Idahoans. We’ve donated our products to The Idaho Foodbank and most recently, donated 4,000 pounds of potatoes.

As we grow our team, we’d like to organize more frequent service opportunities so we can give back and add value to our community.” 

Why did you choose to work with Zions Bank and how has the bank helped your small business?

“When we started to apply for capital, including U.S. Small Business Administration loans, another financial institution couldn’t meet our needs. We switched to Zions Bank and our relationship manager helped us obtain new equipment that made our product better than ever. We appreciate the many resources that Zions Bank provides, but the personal relationship makes all the difference.”   

Looking for a bank that’s invested in your future? Zions Bank’s team of relationship managers can provide small business success strategies as well as funding options, including SBA loans. Visit a local Zions Bank branch to learn more.

1. Loans subject to credit approval and SBA approval. Terms and conditions apply. See a banker for details.