Reese's Potato Chips: Fact vs. Fiction Explained

Reese's does not manufacture potato chips. The Hershey Company, which owns the Reese's brand, has never produced an official Reese's-branded potato chip product despite persistent online rumors and social media speculation.

Why Everyone Thinks Reese's Makes Potato Chips

For years, social media platforms have been flooded with posts claiming Reese's has launched a peanut butter-flavored potato chip. These viral images and videos often show convincing mockups of packaging featuring the iconic Reese's logo on what appears to be a bag of potato chips. The confusion stems from several sources:

Source of Confusion	Reality Check	Verification Source
Social media memes and fake product mockups	No official product announcement or distribution	Hershey's official product page
Third-party "fan creations" sold online	Unauthorized products violating trademark laws	USPTO trademark database
Confusion with similar snack products	No peanut butter-flavored potato chips in Reese's lineup	Hershey's investor relations product portfolio reports

The Evolution of Reese's Product Line: What They Actually Make

Understanding Reese's actual product development helps clarify why the potato chip rumor persists. Since its acquisition by The Hershey Company in 1963, Reese's has expanded its offerings while staying true to its peanut butter and chocolate foundation:

Decade	Product Innovations	Market Response
1960s-1980s	Standard peanut butter cups in various sizes	Established as America's favorite peanut butter chocolate
1990s	Reese's Pieces, seasonal shapes (eggs, pumpkins)	Significant sales growth, cultural phenomenon from E.T.
2000s	Reese's Sticks, Peanut Butter Lovers, White Chocolate	Expanded demographic appeal, premium product lines
2010s-Present	Reese's Fast Break, Reese's Pieces Minis, seasonal innovations	Maintained market leadership with limited edition offerings

Where the Potato Chip Myth Typically Emerges

The Reese's potato chip confusion primarily occurs in specific contexts that create perfect conditions for misinformation to spread:

• Social media challenges: TikTok and Instagram challenges often feature "dream product" creations where users photoshop Reese's logos onto various snack packages
• Online marketplaces: Unauthorized sellers list "Reese's potato chips" on eBay and Amazon, capitalizing on search traffic despite being counterfeit products
• College campus rumors: Seasonal spikes in searches correlate with university terms when students share snack-related content
• International markets: In some countries, local manufacturers create peanut butter-flavored chips with similar color schemes to Reese's packaging

Authentic Reese's Products You Can Actually Buy

While Reese's potato chips don't exist, the brand offers numerous legitimate products that satisfy peanut butter cravings. According to Hershey's official product catalog, current Reese's offerings include:

• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (original, king size, miniature)
• Reese's Pieces (candy-coated peanut butter pieces)
• Reese's Sticks (peanut butter filling in a chocolate stick)
• Reese's Fast Break (peanut butter and pretzel in chocolate)
• Seasonal varieties (eggs, pumpkins, trees)
• Reese's Big Cup and Reese's Extra Layers

Legitimate Peanut Butter-Flavored Chip Alternatives

If you're searching for Reese's potato chips because you want a peanut butter-flavored crunchy snack, several legitimate alternatives exist:

• Planters Peanut Butter Crisps: Actual peanut butter-flavored crackers with real peanut butter filling
• Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Crisps: Costco's version of peanut butter-filled crackers
• Peanut Butter M&M's: While not chips, they offer a crunchy peanut butter chocolate experience
• Various store brands: Many grocery chains offer peanut butter-filled crackers under their private labels

How to Spot Fake Reese's Products Online

When shopping online, use these verification methods to avoid counterfeit products:

1. Check the seller's authorization status on Hershey's official website
2. Look for proper Hershey's branding elements (official logo placement, correct color scheme)
3. Verify product listings against Hershey's official product catalog
4. Be wary of "limited edition" claims without official press releases
5. Check for proper nutritional information and ingredient lists matching Hershey's standards

Why This Myth Won't Die

The persistence of the Reese's potato chip myth reveals interesting consumer behavior patterns. Market research from the Nielsen 2023 Snack Trends Report shows that 68% of consumers express interest in peanut butter-flavored savory snacks, creating fertile ground for this particular rumor. The combination of Reese's strong brand recognition and the growing popularity of sweet-and-savory snack combinations makes this myth particularly resilient despite repeated denials from Hershey's.

Does Reese's make potato chips?

No, Reese's does not manufacture potato chips. The Hershey Company has never produced an official Reese's-branded potato chip product.

Why do people think Reese's makes potato chips?

The confusion stems from viral social media posts featuring fake product mockups, unauthorized third-party 'fan creations' sold online, and occasional confusion with similar snack products that have peanut butter flavoring.

Has Reese's ever considered making potato chips?

According to Hershey's investor relations reports and product development statements, there are no current plans to introduce Reese's potato chips. The company focuses on expanding within its established chocolate and peanut butter confectionery categories.

What are legitimate peanut butter-flavored chip alternatives?

Planters Peanut Butter Crisps and Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Crisps are legitimate peanut butter-flavored crunchy snacks. These are filled crackers, not actual potato chips, but satisfy similar flavor cravings.

How can I verify authentic Reese's products?

Check Hershey's official website for their complete product catalog, look for proper branding elements on packaging, verify nutritional information matches official products, and purchase from authorized retailers to ensure authenticity.