Taking a Tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chips Factory

Taking a Tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chips Factory
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, December 16, 2019

Cape Cod Potato Chips

There's no doubt that your Cape Cod vacation will be full of outstanding activities, but what about slowing things down and taking a quick tour?

The Cape Cod Potato Chips factory in Hyannis provides free, self-guided tours of its operations, allowing you to see how these famous chips are made and to walk away with a free bag to enjoy later.

Tours like this might be a little different from what you expected from your vacation to the Cape, but they're an excellent way to see another side of the area, and to try some local food, as well.

Here's what you need to know about Cape Cod Potato Chips.

The Brand's History

Cape Cod Potato Chips dates back to 1980 when brothers Steve and Jude Bernard found that there was a lack of healthy snack food on the market and decided to begin making kettle-cooked chips. Their original operation was tiny, as they had an 800-square-foot storefront in Hyannis and next to no experience in the industry.

The first year of business was extremely lean, and the brothers had no idea if they'd be able to continue. The following winter, however, a car crashed through their building's front window, and the insurance payment helped keep them afloat until they could find their footing.

The publicity from the car accident helped raise awareness of the brand, and the following summer brought a substantial increase in sales, in addition to some supermarket chains picking up their products.

In 1985, the brothers sold their business to Anheuser-Busch, before Bernard repurchased it in 1996. His second go-round would be a short one, however, as he once again sold the company in 1999, this time to Lance Inc.

Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, Cape Cod Potato Chips is now owned by The Campbell Soup Company, which has led to the brand being available all over North America.

What Cape Cod Potato Chips Has to Offer

We mentioned before that Cape Cod Potato Chips are kettle-cooked, which means that they're made in kettles in small batches using less oil than other methods. This technique creates a healthier snack because the chips aren't dipped in oil and fried like with many other brands.

Starting in 2016, Cape Cod Potato Chips also began the transition to using non-GMO ingredients in their original and reduced-fat original chips.

By using pure, natural ingredients that aren't genetically modified, Cape Cod Potato Chips hopes to create greater transparency in their manufacturing process by letting consumers know exactly what they're eating.

As for the flavors, the company is always coming out with fresh offerings, and when you stop by the factory, you'll have first access to some of their newest products before they hit store shelves.

A Self-Guided Tour

The Cape Cod Potato Chips factory tour is one of the Cape's top attractions, with over 250,000 people visiting every year. The tour allows guests to see how the chips are made, complete with access to the cooking kettles.

You won't need to spend too much time at the factory, as it usually takes about half an hour to walk through the building. The factory was completely renovated in 2019, with the addition of nautical decor, new lighting, and a brand new patio where visitors can enjoy a free taste of Cape Cod's finest chips.

The current factory is located at 100 Breed Hills Road in Hyannis and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. The tour is completely free, and there is plenty of on-site parking, so you won't have to worry about finding a place to leave your vehicle.

A Nice Way to Spend Some Time on Cape Cod

You'll find plenty of great ways to spend your time during your Cape Cod vacation, but stopping by the Cape Cod Potato Chips factory is free and allows you to samples some snacks before carrying on to your next destination.

The venue is easy to access, as it's just off the Mid-Cape Highway in Hyannis and a short distance north of the Cape Cod Mall, making it ideal for a quick stopover.

When friends and family find out that you've visited the Cape, one thing they're sure to ask is if you tried any Cape Cod Potato Chips. And thanks to this tour, you can tell them that you went straight to the source, and it was delicious.

Cape Cod Potato Chips Hyannis Kids

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