About Mccain
McCain stands as the world's largest manufacturer of frozen potato products and the undisputed leader in the UK frozen chips market. Founded in Canada in 1957 by brothers Harrison and Wallace McCain, this family-owned multinational has grown from a small New Brunswick operation into a global frozen food giant, with one in four french fries consumed worldwide being a McCain product. In the UK, McCain has been a household name for over six decades, transforming the way British families enjoy chips at home. The McCain story began in 1957 in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada, when Harrison McCain and Wallace McCain, with help from their two older brothers Robert and Andrew, established McCain Foods Limited. The company's original plant stood on the banks of the Saint John River, and in their first year of production, they employed 30 workers and achieved sales exceeding $150,000. The brothers recognised the potential of frozen potato products at a time when the technology was still developing, and their timing proved impeccable. Within just four years of founding, McCain products reached England, marking the beginning of the brand's international expansion. The UK operation was formally established in 1962 when McCain Foods (G.B.) Limited was incorporated. The company chose Yorkshire as its UK base, establishing operations in Scarborough that continue to this day. This strategic location provided access to quality British potatoes and excellent distribution networks across the country. McCain remains a family-owned business, a distinctive feature in an era of corporate consolidation in the food industry. The McCain family maintains control of the company, ensuring the founder-led values and long-term thinking that characterised Harrison and Wallace's approach continue to guide business decisions. This private ownership allows McCain to invest in quality, sustainability, and innovation without the quarterly pressures facing publicly traded competitors. The UK operation has grown substantially since those early days. McCain now operates across six UK and Ireland locations including Dublin, Hull, Montrose, Scarborough, Whittlesey, and Wombourne, employing approximately 1,400 colleagues. The company's UK headquarters remains in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, maintaining the Yorkshire connection established over sixty years ago. McCain's financial performance demonstrates the brand's strength in the UK market. For the year ending June 2024, McCain Foods (G.B.) Limited reported revenue of £799.1 million, up from £712.5 million the previous year. Pre-tax profits reached £98.7 million, compared to £77.3 million in the prior year, showing strong profitability and market position despite challenging economic conditions affecting UK consumers. The McCain product range in the UK spans an comprehensive selection of frozen potato products designed for home cooking convenience. Home Chips represent the flagship product line, with McCain positioning itself as makers of the best oven chips in the UK. Using quality potatoes and a unique crunchy coating, McCain Home Chips deliver crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors that have made them Britain's favourite frozen chips. Home Chips come in multiple varieties to suit different preferences. Straight Cut offers the classic chip shape familiar from traditional fish and chip shops. Chunky delivers thicker chips with more potato flavour and softer centres. Crinkle Cut provides the distinctive ridged texture that holds sauces well. Each variety uses the same quality potatoes and coating technology that defines the McCain Home Chips experience. Beyond traditional chips, McCain offers an extensive range of potato products. Wedges provide a chunky, skin-on option perfect for casual dining occasions. Lightly Spiced Wedges add seasoning for those seeking more flavour. Hash Browns deliver the American breakfast classic, golden and crispy for weekend fry-ups or midweek convenience. Smiles bring fun shapes for children, making mealtimes more engaging for young families. McCain has embraced the air fryer revolution sweeping UK kitchens. The brand provides comprehensive air fryer cooking guidance for their product range, recognising that this cooking method delivers excellent results with reduced cooking times. Products including Crispy French Fries, Home Chips, Flavour Maker Fries, Naked Chips, Shake Shake Fries, Skin on Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Lightly Spiced Wedges, and Hash Browns all work excellently in air fryers. Sweet Potato Fries cater to consumers seeking alternatives to traditional white potato products. The growing interest in sweet potatoes as a perceived healthier option has driven demand for frozen sweet potato products, and McCain delivers quality and convenience in this category. Skin on Fries offer a more rustic, informal chip style popular in casual dining. The McCain Foodservice division supplies restaurants, pubs, cafes, and other catering establishments across the UK. Products include Chef Solutions Oven Chips for commercial kitchens, SureCrisp technology that maintains crispness under heat lamps, Original Choice ranges for value-focused operators, and Menu Signatures for premium positioning. This dual focus on retail and foodservice maximises McCain's market presence. Roast Potatoes extend McCain's offering beyond chips into the Sunday roast occasion. Frozen roast potatoes offer convenience for busy families while delivering the crispy, golden results expected from traditional roasting. This product category demonstrates McCain's understanding that British potato consumption extends well beyond chips. McCain's commitment to sustainability and community has become increasingly important. Since 2021, McCain has donated £1.3 million to the Family Fund Trust charity, funding grants to help UK families come together at mealtimes. The company has pledged another £1 million by 2026, demonstrating ongoing commitment to social responsibility beyond commercial success. In April 2024, McCain completed the acquisition of Strong Roots, a plant-based frozen food company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. McCain had held a minority stake since 2021, and full acquisition positions the company to capitalise on growing plant-based food trends. This acquisition demonstrates McCain's forward-thinking approach to market evolution. McCain products are available across all major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Ocado. The brand's extensive distribution ensures consumers can find McCain products wherever they shop. Online grocery platforms provide home delivery options, making McCain products accessible to all UK households. Comparing McCain to competitors like Birds Eye, Aunt Bessie's, and supermarket own-brands, McCain offers the combination of market-leading quality, innovative products, and trusted brand heritage. Birds Eye provides strong competition across frozen foods. Aunt Bessie's focuses on traditional British products. Own-brands offer budget alternatives. McCain's specialisation in potatoes and chips gives it category expertise no generalist frozen food brand can match. For UK consumers seeking convenient, quality frozen potato products from the world's leading frozen chips manufacturer, McCain delivers the taste and reliability that has made it a fixture in British freezers for over six decades. Whether enjoying classic Home Chips, trying air fryer cooking, or preparing hash browns for weekend breakfast, McCain brings frozen potato expertise to every meal. Using Grocefully to compare McCain prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on Britain's favourite frozen chips.