J. R. Simplot: The Surprising Story of The Man That Became Idaho’s Potato King

John Richard “J. R.” Simplot was born in 1909 in Dubuque, Iowa. His family moved to Idaho when he was a boy. Life was not easy. The Simplots lived on a farm near Declo, Idaho, and young J. R. had to work very hard. When he was 14 years old, he left home. He wanted to see if he could make it on his own. J. R. had little money, but he did have big ideas. And he was not afraid to take risks.

Key Takeaways

• J. R. Simplot became known as Idaho’s “potato king,” building a major food and agriculture business from humble beginnings.
• During World War II, Simplot supplied dehydrated potatoes and onions that were lightweight, long-lasting, and easy to ship to soldiers.
• Simplot helped transform the fast-food industry by developing reliable frozen French fries and becoming a major supplier to McDonald’s.
• His business interests expanded beyond potatoes into agriculture, fertilizer, cattle, and technology, including an early investment in Micron Technology.
• Simplot’s Idaho-based company grew into a global enterprise and continues to employ thousands of people today.

How Early Hardship Made J. R. Simplot

J. R. Simplot’s early hardship came from a farm life that demanded work before comfort. The Simplot family settled on a farm near Declo in southern Idaho. Declo was in a dry farming country where families watched markets, weather, and freight costs closely. Young Simplot learned that a crop had value only when someone could move it and sell it at the right time. Farm work taught careful habits.

J. R. began his career buying and selling potatoes. He learned that timing was important. He bought his potatoes when prices were low and later sold them at higher prices. In the 1940s, he made a major breakthrough. He developed a process to dehydrate potatoes and onions for soldiers fighting in World War II. His dried potatoes and onions were light, easy to ship, and stayed fresh for a long time. His invention helped the war effort and made him a fortune.

Turning potatoes into gold

Simplot changed the potato business again in the 1950s. He perfected a method for making frozen French fries. Frozen fries allowed restaurants to serve potatoes quickly and with the same result from one kitchen to the next. He saw that fast-food restaurants needed a dependable product, not simply a truckload of fresh potatoes. Frozen fries helped move Idaho potatoes from a regional farm crop into meals eaten across the United States, Canada, and other markets.

Simplot’s most important customer relationship was with McDonald’s, at that time a young fast-food company. Simplot agreed to supply McDonald’s with frozen fries, and the partnership continued for decades. McDonald’s gained a steady source of fries, while the Simplot Company gained a huge market for processed potatoes. The result surprised many people. A food that was once tied to harvest seasons became a familiar side dish sold year-round. This was in restaurants around the world, from cities to small towns.

A business empire beyond potatoes

J. R. Simplot built a business empire beyond potatoes by investing in cattle ranching, fertilizer production, and computer technology. Fertilizer was a natural fit for an Idaho company rooted in farming because farmers needed nutrients as well as seed, water, machinery, and markets for many Idaho growers. Simplot did not treat the potato business as a single bet. The Simplot Company reached into several parts of the farm economy and later moved into a very different industry.

In the 1970s, Simplot made one of his boldest investments. He invested in Micron Technology, a small Boise electronics company. Micron Technology later became a major global maker of computer memory chips. The Micron investment showed that Simplot could look beyond farm fields and see other business opportunities. Simplot’s willingness to take risks helped make him one of America’s wealthiest men and tied Idaho to the computer industry on a global scale.

A lasting legacy in Idaho and beyond

J. R. Simplot lived to the age of 99. He passed away in 2008. He was known for his sharp mind, plain talk, and love for Idaho. His business is still thriving today. The Simplot company employs thousands of people and still produces millions of tons of food each year. The Simplot name is seen on buildings, research centers, and products all over the world. From a teenage farm boy to a billionaire businessman, the story of J. R. Simplot is one of hard work, vision, and bold ideas.

• This reference goes into great detail about the life and times of J. R. Simplot.
  

• If you’re curious, here are more articles about interesting people, places, and things in Idaho.