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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
What would you guess is this country's best-selling condiment? Ketchup? Wrong. Americans actually buy more salsa than any other condiment. We love our salsa, whether it's paired with tortilla chips, potato chips, or flour and corn tortillas.
We are fortunate in Utah to have a great producer of these treats. Don Julio Foods in Clearfield promises that we will enjoy the authentic, traditional taste of its great products. Vice President Greg Bingham told me about the company's traditional Southwest-style flour tortillas and its white and yellow corn tortillas. Its restaurant-style chips are made in both white and yellow rounds.
I was fascinated to learn that Don Julio's potato chips carry the Clover Club label. Many of us old-timers fondly remember the great Davis County company founded by Hod and Clover Sanders 70 years ago. Clover Club was recently purchased by Don Julio Foods, and returned home to its Utah roots. The potato chips come in golden classic, crinkle, BBQ, sour cream, cheddar-sour cream and onion flavors.
The history of Don Julio is very interesting. CEO Craig Fisher worked in a grocery store while in high school. He learned a great deal about the grocery business and knew that the experience could lead to a satisfying career. He served as a missionary for his church, working with the Navajo people in Arizona, where he developed a love for spicy foods.
Upon his return, Craig married his sweetheart and went to work as a route salesman for a Mexican food company. He again worked with many grocers and food retailers and made valuable and lasting contacts. He was rapidly promoted within the company but it was eventually sold, so he started a brokerage business. Meanwhile, Craig kept the dream of owning a manufacturing business. He eventually found a location in Clearfield and began production. Today, multiple press lines run around the clock to keep up with demand for the company's great Southwest food items.
How about the name Don Julio? Well, Craig's wife is named Julia. With a little twist from an "a" to an "o", Julia became Julio, which means "Don" or "mister" in Spanish. So the name and logo was trademarked and Don Julio Foods, which really means "Mr. My Wife", was born.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
