| Description |
AVAILABLE FOR SHIPPING > Standing 13.5" tall to the lid finial, measuring 9" in diameter to the body ~ Heavy glass featuring hard fired black enamel graphics to opposite sides of the body reading > Eat TOM'S 5c PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES.
CONDITION REPORT > See images relative to small chip to the lip of the mouth ~ Chip to the flange retainer at underside of the lid ~ Otherwise, no overt issues.
History of Tom's Snacks
Tom's Snacks traces its origins back to 1925 when Tom Huston, a Georgia peanut farmer, founded the company in Columbus, Georgia. Initially, Huston was focused on peanuts, and he began by inventing a mechanical peanut sheller to improve the efficiency of peanut harvesting. He also patented a special roasting process that helped him create a high-quality roasted peanut product. His innovation allowed Tom's to offer a better-tasting, longer-lasting product that quickly gained popularity in the Southeast.
Building on the success of his roasted peanuts, Tom Huston expanded his company to produce a variety of snack products, including peanuts, crackers, candy, and potato chips. Tom's Snacks became particularly well-known for its snack crackers, like the peanut butter-filled sandwich crackers that became one of its signature items. Tom's grew its product line to include not only crackers and peanuts but also pretzels and candy bars, positioning itself as a leading snack company.
The brand gained popularity due to its wide variety of snacks and aggressive marketing, with Tom's products becoming a staple in vending machines, convenience stores, and grocery stores across the Southern United States. Tom's Snacks stood out for its distinctive red packaging and was known for its commitment to quality, making it a regional favorite.
However, the company experienced financial difficulties during the mid-20th century. In 1966, Tom's was sold to General Mills, marking the beginning of a series of ownership changes. Over the following decades, Tom's changed hands several times. Eventually, in 1983, Tom's was purchased by Heico Acquisitions and then later by Rowntree Mackintosh, a British confectionery company.
In 1993, TFX, Inc., led by a group of investors, acquired Tom's Snacks, and the company re-established itself as an independent snack producer for a period. Despite efforts to maintain its presence in the market, Tom's struggled to compete with larger snack food giants such as Frito-Lay. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2005.
Following the bankruptcy, Tom’s Snacks was purchased by Lance Inc., another major player in the snack food industry. This acquisition helped Lance, which would later merge with Snyder's of Hanover in 2010, expand its portfolio and strengthen its position in the snack market. Even after its acquisition, Tom's products, particularly its crackers, peanuts, and candy, continued to be produced and sold under the Tom's brand, keeping its name alive.
Though the original Tom's business ceased to exist independently, the products and legacy of Tom Huston live on through the brand, which remains a part of the Snyder’s-Lance portfolio (now owned by Campbell Soup Company). Tom's headquarters, originally in Columbus, Georgia, played a key role in the company’s early operations, although production and corporate management were eventually absorbed into larger operations as ownership changed.
|