Nantucket Crisps Transitions Brand Platform to Avocado Oil and Names CPG Industry Veteran Paul Nardone CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NANTUCKET CRISPS TRANSITIONS BRAND PLATFORM TO AVOCADO OIL AND NAMES CPG INDUSTRY VETERAN PAUL NARDONE CEO

Brand Doubles Down on Clean-Label Credentials and Taps Better-for-You Serial CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth

NANTUCKET, MA – May 18, 2026 — Nantucket Crisps, the island-inspired premium potato chip brand, today announced two milestones ahead of the 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo: the completion of its full product line transition to 100% avocado oil, and the appointment of snack industry veteran Paul Nardone as Chief Executive Officer. The company will be exhibiting at booth #1256 throughout the show.

The transition to avocado oil reflects the brand's commitment to making the best product possible. Avocado oil is the fastest-growing cooking oil in snacks, with dollar sales up 52% across MULO and Natural channels, as 38% of Americans now rank it as the healthiest cooking oil available, ahead of olive oil.*

Beyond clean label benefits, avocado oil is well-suited to Nantucket Crisps' slow-fry process: its high smoke point delivers consistency and flavor integrity at high heat, while its favorable taste profile enhances the snacking experience — creating a better version of the chip fans already love. The new avocado oil lineup begins shipping to distributors and retailers June 1.

Paul Nardone brings more than 30 years of experience serving as CEO of category-disrupting brands such as Annie’s, Stirrings, Immaculate Baking, Hippeas, and PopCorners. Nardone, who previously invested in Nantucket Crisps and joined the company’s board, steps into the CEO role to accelerate its commercial strategy and national expansion. The announcements come as the company recently closed a growth-capital financing to fuel its next phase of growth.

“Nantucket Crisps has built something genuinely rare in this category — a brand with real soul, a product that stands on its own, and a deeply passionate consumer following,” said Nardone. “Between this upgrade to avocado oil, the new retail doors we're opening, and the capital behind us, Nantucket Crisps is ready to break out.”

“Paul is exactly the kind of operator Nantucket Crisps needs at this stage,” said Co-Founder Hayden Arnot. “We knew he understood the potential of this brand from his work at the board level, and we couldn’t be more excited for him to step into this expanded role.”

The brand's momentum is rooted in the groundwork laid by Co-Founder Hayden Arnot. As the primary driver of the company's commercial expansion since inception, Arnot has spearheaded the brand's entry into major retail channels and orchestrated its successful fundraising efforts. Arnot will remain central to the brand's creative direction, including its flavor innovation, celebrity partnerships, and strategic account activation.

“Hayden has personally navigated the brand from a local favorite to a strong regional presence, proving the concept by winning over some of the biggest retailers in the market. My goal is to partner with him to institutionalize that success and accelerate our footprint,” said CEO Paul Nardone. “By leveraging an impressive professional network to bring strategic investors into the fold, Hayden has provided the company with the ‘fuel’ needed to compete at the next level.”

The brand is also announcing its entry into the California market through partnerships with two Southern California distributors, Los Angeles Distributing Co. and John Lenore & Co.

“The category needs a new player out here in the West and Nantucket Crisps is the kind of brand our retail partners have been asking for: premium quality, clean-label, and an engaging story that's easy to tell at the shelf,” said Arthur Flores, President and Founder of Los Angeles Distributing. “They are a great fit for our markets and we’re excited to introduce the brand to Southern California consumers.”

Nantucket Crisps is currently sold in over 2,000 locations including Stop & Shop, Roche Bros., Kings, Balducci’s, and other independent specialty food retailers and foodservice accounts.

About Nantucket Crisps

Co-Founded by Hayden Arnot and Sara Jemison, Nantucket Crisps is a premium potato chip brand cooked in 100% avocado oil. A portion of sales supports Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.

Stay Crispy. Visit NantucketCrisps.com for more information.

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Sources: SPINS, SS Chips & Pretzels & Snacks, Week ending 07/13/2025; NIQ Panel on Demand, Salty Snacks, Week ending 5/17/2025. IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions of Seed Oils, February 2025.

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