ConsumerWatch: Lays Uses Crowdsourcing To Find New Flavors

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) - One of the nation's largest potato chip manufacturers is asking consumers to vote on the next hot potato chip flavor. Lay's is using a new promotional tool known as crowdsourcing. It will let the consumer decide with the help of social media.

Nearly four million people submitted their ideal flavors last fall. The top three: Chicken & Waffles, Cheesy Garlic Bread, and the popular spicy Thai chili sauce, Sriracha. Lays has been selling the chips since early February.

In the past few weeks, the company has been drumming up social media buzz by having people buy their product and then vote for their favorite on Facebook.

In KPIX 5's random, on–the-street testing, consumers seemed to like the Sriracha flavor chip the most. One taster said it tasted like "spicy barbecue." Others thought Chicken and Waffles tasted like "chicken and waffles."

Consumers have until May 4th to put in their vote on FritoLay's Facebook page. The flavor getting most votes will remain selling in stores. The winner whose flavor is chosen will win one million dollars or 1% of the chips 2013 sales.

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