Welcome Independent Business Owners
Become an Independent Business Owner (Apply Now)
Snyder's-Lance manufactures and markets snack foods throughout the United States and internationally. The Company's products include pretzels, sandwich crackers, potato chips, cookies, tortilla chips, restaurant style crackers, popcorn, nuts and other snacks. Snyder's-Lance has manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada. Products are sold under the Snyder's of Hanover, Lance, Cape Cod, Krunchers!, Grande, EatSmart Naturals, Jays, Tom's, Archway, O-Ke-Doke, Padrinos, and Stella D'oro brand names along with a number of private label and third party brands. Products are widely distributed through grocery and mass merchandisers, convenience stores, club stores, food service outlets and other channels.
Snyder's-Lance is publicly traded under the LNCE symbol. With more than 6000 dedicated associate and over $1.6 billion in annual sales, Snyder's-Lance is well positioned to achieve its vision to become the premier provider of consumer-preferred, niche snack food brands and snack food solutions in the world.
Snack Gear
Snack Gear was created for Snyder's-Lance associates, family, business partners and affiliates who want to share and wear our brands with pride! Individual Selections are available for single piece purchases. Company Selections require a minimum order quantity.
Click here to purchase Snack Gear!
How it works
After responding to the ad, qualified business owners will be called to have a conversation regarding the opportunity. Should there be mutual interest, a meeting will be held between the candidate and one of our local sales leaders to further discuss the opportunity and to receive all of the documents necessary to take the next step in becoming an independent business owner.
- All Qualified Independent Business Owners Must:
- Be or become a legal business entity
- Meet prequalification requirements
- Have a credit check if you'll be financing your route
- Have a valid driver's license
- Obtain insurance coverage
Qualified sales professionals with a proven track record of route sales or grocery experience will be given first consideration. Owning a step-side truck or trailer is preferred.
We offer:
- The opportunity to service and sell in a protected territory.
- Existing routes with established accounts;
- Rights to distribute products in a protected geographical area;
- Freedom to develop new accounts and expand your business;
- Unlimited sales potential; and
- Steady, independent work
Contact S-L Distribution Company at independentoperator@snyderslance.com to see if there are opportunities available in your area.
ADVANTAGES of being an Independent Business Owner:
Your success means our success. We offer you a wealth of reasons to say “Yes!” to business ownership today. Here are just some of the rewards of becoming an Independent Business Owner for Snyder’s-Lance:
- Generate weekly margins on Flagship products, Lance crackers, Cape Cod Potato Chips® , Krunchers!™ Kettle Chips, O-KE-DOKE™ popcorn, Jays™ Potato Chips, and Snyder’s Pretzels
- Snyder’s-Lance products.
- No set schedule offering flexibility to work the days and hours that work best for you.
- Pre-sales support of promotions, products by account team and district sales manager.
- No display, merchandising or promotional material costs – free to you to drive sales.
- Exclusive, protected distribution territory to service and expand.
- An independent distributorship, NOT a franchise, where you decide how to best manage your business.
- Trusted business partners available to provide information on vehicle, medical, dental, and vision insurance and financing support.
- Sales and marketing, and product support offered through your dedicated district sales manager, territory manager, account team, support line and website.
- Route relief available to take time off to attend to personal and/or family needs along with many other fantastic advantages!
Independent Distributor Alliance
The IDA is a business association that specializes in providing services to the independent business operators. In conjunction with Snyder's Lance, the Independent Distributor Alliance (IDA) has put together a special comprehensive program to address all of the specific needs you will encounter throughout the process of becoming an IBO.
Click here to visit the Independent Distributor Alliance (IDA) website for a brief summary of the three main steps involved in becoming part of the Snyder's-Lance Distribution team.
Independent Business Owner FAQs
- Am I An Associate?
- How Do I Make Money?
- What is involved in being an IBO?
- Do I have to be incorporated?
- What training do I receive?
- How much does it cost to start the business?
- What shift is the opportunity and how long are the hours?
- How do I grow my business?
- Can I sell my business to another entrepreneur?
- Do I get vacation?
- Who can I talk to in order to find out more?
Am I an Associate?
As an Independent Business Owner, you would not be an associates of Snyder's-Lance. Therefore, you are not eligible to participate in associate benefits plans such as 401(k) and insurance programs. Because you own your own business, you do not report to someone who directs your work.
How Do I Make Money?
Your account will be settled on a weekly basis. The amount you receive (or potentially owe) is the amount of your sales minus the cost of product you purchased from the company and any other fees that you have authorized. This is in addition to any cash accounts you may have which go directly to your company's top line. Excellent customer service is critical to your business' success and profit.
What is involved in being an IBO?
IBOs will need to sign a Distributor's Agreement with Snyder's-Lance.They are responsible for providing existing and new customers with excellent customer service, distributing industry leading, high quality brands within the distribution area, and making sure the customer is receiving all of the products that they request on a timely basis. IBOs will also utilizing a hand held computer to help with administrative tasks such as (taxes, bookkeeping, insurance, licenses).
Do I have to be incorporated?
Yes, the Distributors Agreement that you will enter into states that the "Distributor has properly incorporated, registered and licensed its business, which it shall maintain throughout the course of this Agreement."We can refer you to a 3rd party vendor who is familiar with our needs who can assist you for a fee OR you can incorporate yourself.
What training do I receive?
Since you own your business, you are responsible for any training necessary to succeed as an Independent Business Owner with Snyder's-Lance. You will have a District Manager available to you who can help you understand how to work with Snyder's-Lance for best results.
How much does it cost to start the business?
Each opportunity has a unique combination of territory and products available to be distributed. As a result, each opportunity has unique earning potential. Therefore, each opportunity will have a unique purchase price.
Do I work a specific shift? How long are the hours?
You own your business so you have the freedom to set your own schedule. However, you must meet your customers' delivery requirements. Most Independent Business Owners start their day very early in the morning.The amount of time you spend working each day will depend on your efficiency, number of accounts per day, and driving distance among other factors.
How do I grow my business?
Every opportunity available has customers who are receiving already receiving products from our family of brands. Your role is to provide excellent customer service to these customers so that they accept additional products from your business. You also have Snyder's-Lance associates who will help your business to grow in new accounts that are within your territory. Through a combination of providing excellent customer service to existing customers and through partnering with Snyder's-Lance sales leaders to acquire new accounts in your territory, you have the ability to grow your business.
Can I sell my business to another entrepreneur?
Provided that you receive written consent from Snyder's-Lance as outlined in the Distributors Agreement, you can sell your business for any price you negotiate with a potential buyer.
Do I get vacation?
Because you are not an associate of Snyder's-Lance, you are not eligible for associate benefits such as vacation. However, IBOs do need time off from time to time.
During these times, you may hire a relief driver or you can request the route to be serviced by Snyder's-Lance for a fee (provided the company has the personnel available to run the route).
Who can I talk to in order to find out more?
If you would like to find out more about the exciting prospect of becoming an Independent Business Owner working with Snyder's-Lance, please call 1-800-233-7125 or email independentoperator@snyderslance.com
To download FAQs, click here
Apply Now
S-L Distribution Company, Inc., the primary distributor of Snyder's-Lance family of products, has immediate opportunities for enthusiastic salespersons to help us continue our tradition of success in an 3rd Party Distributor capacity!
These are outstanding opportunities for SEASONED Route Sales professionals interested in OWNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS to sell and service snack accounts. If you are an extremely ambitious, self-motivated, and business-minded individual looking for the chance to succeed in an entrepreneurial environment, apply now.
Click here for the current available territories
Our Brands
To learn more about our brands, please click here.