Cape Cod's 40-Year Run Comes to an End as Chip Plant Shuts Down in Massachusetts
After decades of satisfying snackers along the East Coast, Campbell's popular potato chip brand is bidding farewell to its coastal hometown. The company announced that it will be closing its Cape Cod chip plant in Hyannis, Massachusetts, effective April. While the iconic name will continue to live on, production at the facility, which has been operational since 1985, will cease.
According to Campbell's, the decision to shut down the plant was made due to economic factors, as it only produces a relatively small percentage of the brand's chips – just 4%. The company plans to transfer production to more modern and efficient plants in Beloit, Wisconsin; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Hanover, Pennsylvania.
While some residents expressed disappointment at the news, others seemed unconcerned by the plant's closure. However, those who grew up with Cape Cod chips and consider them an integral part of New England culture were less than thrilled. "I have been a consumer of Cape Cod chips for YEARS. I'm very, very sad to hear this," one social media user wrote.
Despite the shutdown, Campbell's has committed to maintaining a presence in Hyannis, honoring the brand's heritage and continuing local investment. The company's president, Elizabeth Duggan, stated that the decision was made to strengthen operations and position the snacks business for long-term growth. When asked about job losses, Duggan noted that 49 employees will be let go, but they will receive separation benefits, job placement support, and guidance on accessing state assistance programs.
As news of the plant's closure spread, social media users shared their reactions to the news. While some were nostalgic for a bygone era when Cape Cod chips were synonymous with the brand, others saw it as an inevitable part of the company's evolution.
After decades of satisfying snackers along the East Coast, Campbell's popular potato chip brand is bidding farewell to its coastal hometown. The company announced that it will be closing its Cape Cod chip plant in Hyannis, Massachusetts, effective April. While the iconic name will continue to live on, production at the facility, which has been operational since 1985, will cease.
According to Campbell's, the decision to shut down the plant was made due to economic factors, as it only produces a relatively small percentage of the brand's chips – just 4%. The company plans to transfer production to more modern and efficient plants in Beloit, Wisconsin; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Hanover, Pennsylvania.
While some residents expressed disappointment at the news, others seemed unconcerned by the plant's closure. However, those who grew up with Cape Cod chips and consider them an integral part of New England culture were less than thrilled. "I have been a consumer of Cape Cod chips for YEARS. I'm very, very sad to hear this," one social media user wrote.
Despite the shutdown, Campbell's has committed to maintaining a presence in Hyannis, honoring the brand's heritage and continuing local investment. The company's president, Elizabeth Duggan, stated that the decision was made to strengthen operations and position the snacks business for long-term growth. When asked about job losses, Duggan noted that 49 employees will be let go, but they will receive separation benefits, job placement support, and guidance on accessing state assistance programs.
As news of the plant's closure spread, social media users shared their reactions to the news. While some were nostalgic for a bygone era when Cape Cod chips were synonymous with the brand, others saw it as an inevitable part of the company's evolution.
Can you believe it? The golden age of snacking just came to an end... on my grandma's favorite snack 
. I mean, what's next? Closing down the Dunkies? Just kidding (kinda). But seriously, 40 years is a long time to call Hyannis home - I guess you could say it was a chip off the old block 
. The thing is, they're not just closing the plant, they're basically severing ties with New England's snacky soul 
. But hey, who needs nostalgia when you've got cheeseburgers and lobster rolls to fill that void? 
i grew up eating cape cod chips and its like losing a part of my childhood memories. cant believe theyre just gonna let go of such a iconic brand and transfer everything to other places 
i get that companies gotta adapt but its hard not to feel sentimental about it 
plus 49 employees losing their jobs is super disheartening 
. i guess sometimes change means letting go of what we love 
.
it's crazy how much those little chips bring back memories for people, especially the ones from the old guard. 49 people losing their jobs is no joke tho... 
hope they get all the support they need during this transition 
It's crazy that a small percentage of production is enough to close down the whole plant in Massachusetts. Like, what happens to all the people who work there now? 
49 jobs lost is not good. I hope they get some support from the government or something.
Maybe they could've made some changes before deciding to shut down.
. Cape Cod chips have been around for decades, it's like saying goodbye to a childhood friend. But at least Campbell's is still going to invest in Hyannis, so that's something 
The fact that this 40-year-old plant was only producing 4% of their chips is basically a slap in the face to all those employees who have dedicated decades to working there. Those people are gonna be severely impacted by this closure, and I'm not buying the separation benefits or job placement support as being enough to mitigate the damage. We should be demanding more from corporations like Campbell's - it's time for them to take responsibility for the lives they're affecting 
. Those workers are gonna miss it too, 49 people losing their jobs isn't a good thing either 
I mean, I love chips too, but I guess it's not like they're made in my house or something... what's the deal with all these chip plants moving to other states? 
but still kinda sad to see that iconic plant go
which is kinda low considering the plant is closing down... meanwhile, the global potato chip market is projected to reach $43.8 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 4.5% 
that's a pretty sweet deal for Campbell's considering it's just getting rid of one plant and shifting production elsewhere...
so it's probably gonna take some time to adjust... on the bright side, maybe all those employees can catch a flight to Wisconsin or wherever 
️
they've had this brand going for over 150 years! That's some serious longevity...
. They'll probably miss it too much! 
That's a pretty big change for fans of the brand. I hope they keep the Hyannis location as a store or something so we can still support local businesses and buy some chips. And yeah, 49 jobs lost is not great news either 
. Who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned bag of Cape Cod chips 
? It's like losing a piece of New England history 
. Even though 4% of production isn't too much, it's still a big deal for the local community 
. I mean, where else are you gonna get those addictive salt and vinegar flavors in MA? 
. On the other hand, who's gonna make those delicious chips now? 
. Still sad tho 
. It's just the way the world works, right? 49 employees losing their jobs is still super sad tho 
. I'll always treasure those nostalgic memories of munching on Cape Cod chips as a kid, but I'm also excited to see what new snacks the company will bring our way 
.