If you’re in the mood for the perfect tortilla chip dunked in organic salsa that causes a flavor explosion in your mouth, look no further. Laurie’s Buffalo Gourmet is that perfect complement to a chilly margarita or a late night savory snack on the couch.

Owned and operated by the Seron family, Laurie’s Buffalo Gourmet began as a Utah-based small business over a decade ago. Now this family treat has gone far from its roots and serves many retailers across the U.S., China, and Canada.

Getting into the chip business…

With its humble beginnings as a snack that the Serons made up for social gatherings the tortilla chips slowly transformed into a business idea.
“My husband suggested we start making and selling our chips so that a larger audience could enjoy this family favorite,” Laurie says.

The Seron family moved from California more than 16 years ago and settled down in Utah. Laurie Seron, after whom the chips are named, was passionate about philanthropy and began as a volunteer for causes like homelessness and women’s empowerment. A bridge in Africa and a few other key projects later, Laurie decided she would use her business prowess to fulfill her charitable objectives.

“My ultimate dream and ambition was to launch a business and build it to a point when we can provide microfinance for projects that change the lives of women,” Laurie says.

Making and delivering chips…

Owing to health department regulations, the Seron family started preparing their chips by renting fryers at a local hamburger joint. For close to two years, each night from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., the family fried, seasoned, bagged and stocked tortilla chips. In the wee hours of the morning, the family loaded the chips into their vans and Laurie went around town delivering her freshly produced gourmet chips to specialty food stores around Salt Lake City.

The first store to start stocking Laurie’s Buffalo Gourmet was ‘The Store’ which was one of the frontrunners in the specialty food segment. The idea to have the word ‘Buffalo’ in the name came from a chance family chat when one of Laurie’s children casually threw the idea out. The idea made everyone chuckle but it ultimately caught on as something symbolic of the Wild West.

A feature on the then popular Gabby Gourmet show coupled with the buzz created by the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, Laurie’s chips escalated in popularity. But the manual kneading, frying, seasoning, and packaging couldn’t keep up with the soaring demand for the gourmet chips.

Around that time, the Seron family took the hardest decision in the history of their small business. They decided to completely automate the processes and outsource the operations to a local restaurateur. In retrospect Laurie said it may have been the hardest business decision but was definitely a wise one considering the growing popularity of the product.

The Buffalo Gourmet difference…

Over only a few years, Laurie’s Buffalo Gourmet has grown to great new heights. They now have a presence in some big name grocery stores like Harmon’s but have also been solicited constantly by giant retailers like Walmart. The Seron family has had to deal with difficult strategic decisions on how to expand. Being a specialty gourmet product the family is cautious about not diluting the brand image and spreading themselves too thin.

“Our efforts to provide the highest quality home-made product to the vast health needs of a growing natural marketplace will remain our top priority as long as there are those who demand distinguished flavor and only all natural ingredients in a healthy snack food,” says Laurie.

Laurie’s Buffalo Gourmet consists of gourmet tortilla chips in a variety of flavors including – premium white corn, roasted sesame, sundried tomato and basil, chipotle, black bean and garlic. Their salsas are available in tantalizing flavors like fire roasted pueblo chile, tomatillo and fire roasted salsa, fire hot salsa with habanero peppers, and black bean and corn salsa.

The Buffalo gourmet difference is that all their chips and salsas are made with real, whole and natural ingredients. The company has developed an innovative process called Flavor Fusion. Fresh ingredients like herbs, spices, and corn are combined to create wholesome gourmet tortilla chips, making the product healthier and containing no artificial flavors and colors.

Looking ahead…

The company is staying with the times and expanding their product line into varieties like multigrain, quinoa etc. There are also ideas of introducing all natural snack mixes and beverages under the Buffalo Gourmet umbrella. The focus at the moment is to strengthen the brand name and grow strategically.

Laurie is the brand’s strongest ambassador and actively recruits retail opportunities and is present at food shows across the country.

“The best thing about owning your own business, despite the crazy hours, is the vision,” says Laurie.

Laurie is always cognizant about the motives that led her to start her own business. She dedicates every opportunity she gets to get involved in community activities and philanthropy.

Her advice for up and coming businesses is, “to make sure that you have a solid foundation built at the beginning. Don’t be in a rush. Utilize the resources in the community that are there for you to use.”

For more information, visit:
Laurie’s Buffalo Gourmet
www.lauriesbuffalogourmet.com