News of the chips spread as tourist sampled the chips and took bags home to share. The business soon grew out of the store-front and a worldwide love affair with the snacks began.
Bernard sold the company for $7 million to Anheuser-Busch in 1985, but bought it back when the brewer sold its Eagle Snacks division.
The company expanded its snack offerings to include a Reduced Fat variety as well as over a half dozen potato chip flavors, popcorn, tortilla chips and salsa.
The factory was opened for public tours in 1985 and the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory Tour now is the areas largest tourist attraction, hosting more than 250,000 visitors a year.
The company was earning $30 million in annual sales by 1999 and Bernard sold the company again, to Lance Inc.
He was diagnosed with cancer in November.