Ore-Ida Changes Name To Recognize BYU Star Richie Saunders
Mar 26, 2025, 9:17 AM | Updated: Mar 27, 2025, 10:49 am
NEWARK, N.J. – BYU basketball star Richie Saunders is taking over the name of Ore-Ida.
The “Tater Tot King” continues to grow.
Ore-Ida changes name to “Ore-Richie”
On Wednesday, the frozen foods company announced that its name has changed to “Ore-Richie,” while BYU basketball remains in the NCAA Tournament.
We are changing our name for the first time EVER. You can address us as Ore-Richie for as long as the Tot King is in the tournament. Let’s cook 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vZoAY9O1gG
— Ore-Richie (@OreIdaPotatoes) March 26, 2025
BYU continues its NCAA Tournament run on Thursday night against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16.
Ore-Ida’s changed the name on their social media accounts to “Ore-Richie.”
Tater Tot King: Richie Saunders
As part of the name change, fans nationwide can claim free tater tots from the opening tip of Thursday’s BYU-Alabama game all the way to the final buzzer.
Last week, the frozen foods company held a “tot clock” after a BYU win, during which fans could claim a free bag of tater tots 30 minutes after the final buzzer.
The tater tots that will be available are Crispy Tater Tots, Crispy Crowns Mini Tater Tots, Extra Crispy Tater Tots, and Extra Crispy Crowns.
Along with the free tots during the Sweet 16 game.
Ore-Ida also announced that if BYU wins the NCAA Tournament, they will launch a limited edition bag of tater tots called “Richie’s Tater Shots.” It would be the first time in over 20 years that Ore-Ida would launch a special edition bag of tots. But for that to happen, BYU needs to win it all.
BYU has never reached the Final Four in program history.
Where the story started with BYU’s Richie Saunders and tater tots
Richie Saunders’s great-grandpa is F. Nephi Grigg, a co-founder of Ore-Ida Potatoes. Grigg invented the tater tot.
Fun fact: Richie Saunders’s great grandfather invented the tater tot. I had some today to celebrate his All Big 12 First Team honors. He is such a class act, just like his dad, @RichSaunders10. Go Cougars! pic.twitter.com/rhSoDXqNWE
— Michael Mower (@MikeLMower) March 10, 2025
The story caught fire when Michael Mower, a Senior Advisor of Community Outreach and Intergovernmental Relations for the Governor of Utah Spencer J. Cox, tweeted about the connection on X.
Ever since, the “Tater Tot King” nickname has taken on a life of its own for Saunders.
During the NCAA Tournament, Saunders is averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
BYU vs. Alabama
Regional Semifinals – 2025 NCAA Tournament
Location: Newark, New Jersey
Arena: Prudential Center
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
Tip-Off: 5:09 p.m. (MDT)/7:09 p.m. (EDT)
TV: CBS
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM in Utah — Extended pregame begins at 3 p.m. MDT/5 p.m. EDT)
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
