Cape Cod Chips Is Down to Its Final Days in Hyannis

The Cape Cod Chips manufacturing plant in Hyannis, Massachusetts, will cease operations in a matter of days. Cape Cod Chips' parent company, The Campbell's Company, announced in January it would cease local production in April 2026, idling 49 employees.

A Look Back at Cape Cod Chips’ Origins

Cape Cod Chips was founded in Hyannis in 1980 by brothers Steve and Jude Bernard, who opened a storefront on July 4, 1980. The brothers sold the company to beer maker Anheuser-Busch in 1985, but reacquired it in 1989, only to sell it again to Snyder's-Lance in 1999.

The Campbell's Company acquired the business in 2018.

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Lawsuit Raises Questions About Ingredients

Late last year, Justia Dockets & Filings reported that Rozaliya Ripa of New York filed a class action suit against The Campbell's Company in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleging "violations of state and federal consumer laws."

The suit claimed Cape Cod Chips falsely advertised that the product contained "No Artificial Colors, Flavors, or Preservatives," while reportedly containing "synthetic citric acid."

CBS Boston reported that synthetic citric acid "has been linked to health conditions."

Inside the Scale of Cape Cod Chips Production

In 2015, Cape Cod Life Publications reported, "Each week, some 750,000 pounds of potatoes are cooked into 190,000 pounds of chips" by Cape Cod Chips.

"The company works with potato farmers from Maine to Florida, moving down the coast to follow the annual harvest," the publication said. "The farmers grow 'chipping potatoes,' various varieties of white potatoes that offer a high yield, lower water content, and low sugar."

Goodfoodstories.com reported in 2011, "It takes four whole pounds of potatoes to make one pound of chips – that's how much water content is in a single spud."

Boston.com reported in 2012 that Cape Cod Chips was valued at $205 million, according to a plant manager.

The Campbell's Company website posted, "The plant, which produces Cape Cod chips and Kettle Brand chips, will cease operations in April 2026."

"Campbell's will continue to invest in the region through community partnerships and support of culinary programs that foster food innovation," according to the company.

Where Production Is Moving Next

NBC 10 Providence reported, "The plant will close in April, and manufacturing will be moved to plants in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania."