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

PRESS RELEASE — NEWS PROVIDED BY Darielle Cullen for Nantucket Crisps

NANTUCKET, MA (MAY 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 1st.

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.”

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.”

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.

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