Another brief update – March 28, 2018 60


We just looked at the last update and it was October 20th.  When in legal situations like this, folks start forgetting about time. Here’s where we are, and from the dozens and dozens of comments here, we know you are as frustrated as us, but also have been so supportive with comments, encouragement and the like.  It brings a smile to our day.

As to our status in the Cook County courts, we have endeavored for months to have the judge rule on the merits of our argument for a decision — a so-called summary judgement as opposed to taking this to trial.  All the time is being spent doing “discovery” (trying to explore the facts of the case by complainant or defendant).  We can assure you we are trying to accelerate the schedule, but judges seem to be very deliberate.  Currently, this process will end mid April, but we’ve said that before.

We are doing our best to bring proceedings to a conclusion.  Thanks for your ongoing support as we endeavor to do this.


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60 thoughts on “Another brief update – March 28, 2018

  • Debbie Zwirtz

    ??? I’m a senior in AZ-AND I LOVE(D) RYKRISP. *I hope you’ll soon be putting them back on supermarket shelves! -but what’s the thing with the courts in Chicago? DOES A JUDGE HAVE TO GIVE PERMISSION FOR YOU TO BEGIN PRODUCTION??

    • tleavitt Post author

      Good question and thanks for the interest. We were awarded our equipment back and were in the process of moving forward elsewhere toward production. The defendant in this case (our contract manufacturer) wrote to said manufacturer saying that we were moving proprietary technology (this is our brand and technology…not that of a contract manufacturer). That newer manufacturer then naturally said to please wait until after a legal settlement to move forward. That’s a natural reaction, and thus, we feel it important to first get this all settled. It’s complicated, but hope that answer makes a little sense. All the best, Ted Leavitt

    • tleavitt Post author

      We are on the case. The simple answer is that a contract manufacturer took critical manufacturing equipment, and we’ve been in a lawsuit ever since to recover it and clear the decks for production. As a small company, we don’t have the option to buy new stuff. Thanks for being a fan. Ted Leavitt

  • Dandrew

    I like these with tuna and a little sweet relish. I have not been able to find them in stores for awhile. I buy another brand of crackers but they are not RYKRISP.
    I began scouring the internet ad even thinking of ordering and having them shipped. But now I found what is going on. I’m sorry to hear the current legal problems
    and I hope it gets sorted out soon.
    It’s too bad people are eating peanut butter filled, chocolate coated pretzels and wondering why they are so heavy.

  • Lynne

    Sending you Aloha from Hawaii for a speedy resolve and resumed production. I miss RYKRISP, nothing else compares. Lynne in Honolulu

  • Keith

    Pleas keep working on it. Can’t wait to get RyKrisp again!!! I’ve tried FinnCrisp and RyVita but they can’t compare to RyKrisp.

  • arla romo

    I have been looking all over for RYKRISP.. It is the BEST and hoping it will be available soon!! I always wondered what happened ..We purchased it all the time! We miss it very much.Thank you!!

    • tleavitt Post author

      In simplest terms, we needed to find a new place of production. After a year of effort, we realized that we weren’t going to be successful making product. There were some disagreements, and our contract manufacturer “converted” the equipment (~ stolen…legal term). It is all very specialized stuff, and this ends up as a civil rather than a criminal matter. Thus, the long time in court. The legal process is no fun. Thx for the interest. Ted

  • Carolyn Maxon

    I’ve been eating seasoned RYKRISP for over 50 years. There is no replacement.

    What’s an old lady to do?

    • tleavitt Post author

      Stay young and keep up the faith. That’s what we’re doing…keeping the faith…not necessarily staying as young as we’d hope. Thx, Ted

  • stephanie a bowman

    I haven’t checked the status here for many months. At this point I have just one simple question. Are we ever going to buu seasoned RYKRISP again within my lifetime? I will be 69 years old in about 3 weeks. I grew up on the north shore – Silver Bay to be exact. We all grew up eating RYKRISP and loving it. It never occurred to me I’d be without it at this point in my life. I live in Oregon now but still need my RYKRISP.

    • tleavitt Post author

      As you know, nothing is ever certain, but we’re certainly working on the case. Most of the time is dedicated to the legal side, but as a small company, we need to clear the decks there first. We feel our case is a very strong one, and have been vindicated so far, but the wheels of justice move very slowly. We are endeavoring to win and then get back to making customers like you happy again. Thanks for keeping up the interest. Ted

  • Robyn

    Ah! I had been wondering why I couldn’t find your product. Now I see why. I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with unscrupulous people, and in Cook County no less. Some of the most twisted and dirty courts in the country there, sigh. Can’t wait until you clear the deck and start your production again. Much luck to you, Sir.

  • Peter C

    I was introduced to RYKRISP as a child about 60 years ago. The story is a funny one. We lived in Albany NY and used to visit the Catskill Game Farm nearby. It was a policy there that you could feed the animals. My parents used to bring RYKRISP with us rather than buy the commercial food sold there for the animals because we had six kids and for all of us to feed the animals would have been too expensive. The animals (giraffe, llamas, etc.) loved the whole grain RYKRISP, but I used to sneak some of the “animal food” and eat it myself! That’s how I first tasted RYKRISP. I was hooked, and have loved the RYKRISP taste ever since, to say nothing of the memories. I hope you can resolve the legal issues and bring them back. With some solid marketing, they could catch on again for the flavor, of course, but also the whole-grain nutrition.

    • tleavitt Post author

      Yes, good story. Selling to zoos was one of the legs of our business (along with retail and foodservice). Hoping to get those zoos back in the fold when back. Thx!! Ted

  • Tina Wheeler

    Waiting patiently for the RYKRISP return. As stated several times by others, there is NO satisfying substitute on the market. Have been a fan for 50 years – best of luck to you with the civil case.

  • STEPHANIE HONECK

    Can’t wait to get a box of Seasoned RyKrisp in my hands and into my mouth! Been a long time but will patiently try to keep the dream alive.. Thanks.

  • Chris

    We’re pulling for you, Ted, out here in Oregon! Wouldn’t it be cool if there could be a booth stocked sky-high with RyKrisp for sale at the Scandinavian Festival in Junction City, Oregon in August??!!

    We can dream!

  • Debbie

    I had a craving for seasoned RYKRISP and was confused and dismayed when I couldn’t find it at the grocery store. I went online to see what I could find out and learned about your legal problems. I hope you have a positive outcome soon.

  • Lou Houck

    Just listened to an old time radio episode of Tom Mix sponsored by Ralston, from back in the 1930s – 40s.There was an ad for RyKrisp. Was this originally a ralston product? Best wishes for roductiom to resume.

    • tleavitt Post author

      Lou – Thanks for sharing. Yes, one of the founders of Ralston ran across the product back up in Minneapolis and bought the business. That was when they moved into the big time. Great to hear such stories. We continue to be on the case. Ted Leavitt

  • Liz Seagren

    I’m sorry to say that I’m so late in realizing that this long and much loved cracker is no longer available. I thought it was me when I tried several stores and they all looked at me like I was speaking another language. I grew up with the Seasoned RYKRISP as a staple in our house. Nothing beat them for a satisfying taste and texture. Fingers are crossed that this will be resolved soon as I can once again find them on the store shelves or order them online.

    • tleavitt Post author

      We’re confident stores will take them in again when available (or they will be there online). The testimonials have been great and extremely helpful. They show what a differentiated product RYKRISP is. Thanks, Ted Leavitt

  • Cindy DuHamel

    Your efforts are appreciated here. I have fond childhood memories of RYKRISP and plain yogurt snacks with my grandmother. She may have been the first natural foodie. RYKRISP has shaped my tastebuds toward foundational health habits. I am now over 60 and would greatly enjoy RYKRISP again. I have been looking and only found facsimiles.

  • Susan W

    I have not read anything other than the March 28, 2018 update, and the previous article stating that the plan shut down.

    I MISS MY RYKRISP! I used to have to search for it, but Wasa crackers were like eating sawdust. RYKRISP was the only way to go!

    I will keep watching this website now that I know it exists 🙂

    Wait. Cook County? As in Illinois? As in Chicago? Hahaha. This could take years :-O

    • tleavitt Post author

      Susan, We try not to overdo the updates. We will post when something changes, but as you have highlighted, the wheels of Cook County justice turn slowly. It is frustrating but unsurprising. Thanks for your support. Ted Leavitt

  • Kim Stacy

    I was brought up with RyKrisp crackers and we always crumbled them in a bowl with 2 soft boiled eggs for breakfast. I have tried many other versions and none of them have ever come close to your brand. Miss them terribly.

  • Jennifer Gould

    We have never heard about this. What happened? What is going on? Now we understand, perhaps, why we cannot find our most favorite cracker anywhere. We hope that you will have enough capital to be up and running again sooner rather than later!

  • Tom Ash

    Congratulations on winning your case Oct 22, 2019!!! Please tell me that you will be putting Seasoned Ry-Krisp back into production in early 2020! I really miss those crackers! Thank you and good luck!