Cape Cod Potato Chips Leaves Massachusetts, Citing Lack of Economic Sense

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After decades as a local staple and tourist attraction, Cape Cod Potato Chips is closing its Hyannis factory, with parent company Campbell's Soup citing a lack of economic viability for the business. The closure marks the latest in a series of companies and industries leaving Massachusetts, which the author argues has become an increasingly anti-business environment under the state's Democratic leadership.

Why it matters

The departure of Cape Cod Potato Chips is symbolic of broader economic challenges facing Massachusetts, as the state has seen the loss of numerous iconic local brands and businesses in recent years. This trend raises questions about the state's ability to retain and attract companies, especially in the face of policy decisions that the author argues are hostile to the business community.

The details

Cape Cod Potato Chips had maintained a small factory in Hyannis that employed 49 people, even as most of its production had already been shifted to other states. However, the company's corporate owner, Campbell's Soup, determined that the Hyannis site 'no longer makes economic sense for the business' and has decided to shutter the facility entirely.

• The Hyannis factory closure was announced in July 2026.
• The factory had been a tourist attraction for decades prior to the closure.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The closure of the Hyannis factory will leave 49 employees without jobs, and the company has said it will provide guidance to those workers on accessing state assistance programs.