The snack maker had been making chips, pretzels and cheese puffs in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since 1934, founded by Pennsylvania native Charles Seyfert.
The Seyfert’s brand became a household name in 1987, following the appearance of Fort Wayne's Myrtle Young – known as the ‘Potato Chip Lady’ – on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.
Late last week, company execs told its workforce that it had to close shop, noting they had explored other options, including selling the company, but found no viable alternative.
Employees will be offered a severance package and job placement assistance.
Seyfert's was acquired by Borden Inc. in 1982, followed by Health Corp in 1994 and finally Troyer Potato Products in 2001, which had been supplying potatoes to the company since the 1960s.
Troyer – which promotes itself as ‘the only US manufacturer of potato chips that grows its own potatoes – also produces snacks under its own brand name and for private labels.