Simplot, J. R. (1909-2008), an American businessman, pioneered the modern production of potatoes and potato products. His company developed a practical technique for freezing French fries. The success of the business made Simplot a billionaire.
John Richard Simplot was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on Jan. 4, 1909. Soon afterward, his family moved to south-central Idaho. Simplot left school at age 14 and later worked on a farm near Declo. After learning how to farm potatoes, Simplot started his own successful company. He grew and shipped fresh potatoes and onions.
By the start of World War II (1939-1945), the J. R. Simplot Company was one of the largest potato producers in the United States. The company sold millions of pounds of dehydrated potatoes and onions to the U.S. military. Simplot’s potatoes were also popular in American restaurants. However, a wartime shortage of fertilizer hindered Simplot’s production. To keep pace with demand, Simplot built a fertilizer manufacturing company, Soilbuilders (later called Grower Solutions) in Pocatello, Idaho.
In the late 1940’s, Simplot’s company began developing a process for freezing French fries and other potato products. Restaurants preferred frozen potatoes to fresh potatoes because frozen potatoes maintained consistent quality throughout changing seasons. Beginning in the late 1960’s, Simplot became a primary supplier of frozen French fries to the McDonald’s Corporation (see McDonald’s Corporation ). Simplot’s company also expanded into a variety of industries, including cattle, microchips, and timber. Simplot died on May 25, 2008.
