A beloved cartoon has graced Rhode Island license plates for decades, but with the company moving its headquarters out of state, some residents want it gone.
Hasbro has called Pawtucket home for nearly 70 years, with locals celebrating the corporation through a Mr Potato Head statue and specialty license plates.
But in 2025, the toy giant announced plans to pack up and move its headquarters to Boston. Lawmakers are now left to debate retiring the specialty plate.
Republican Rep Brian Newberry proposed its removal, claiming Hasbro’s departure will leave the state high and dry, causing ‘economic harm and loss of tax revenue.’
‘There is no reason we should be advertising their products on our license plates,’ Newberry told AP.
‘It may seem trivial compared to many other things but it’s a matter of self-respect,’ he added.
The Mr Potato Head plate costs about $40, and half of the profit goes to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
Bitter locals agreed with Newberry’s stance and took to social media to share their support.
Pictured: Newport, Rhode Island. Locals in the state, which is the smallest by total area in the US, were up in arms after the company decided to move its HQ from their city
A statue of Mr Potato Head greets visitors to the corporate headquarters of toymaker Hasbro Inc in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the company is moving its headquarters to Boston
One Reddit user mocked the toy company, jokingly calling it, ‘HADbro’ in the past tense.
‘Good. Hasbro is so greedy,’ another supporter posted. ‘It’s literally a polar opposite what it once stood for.’
The specialty plates were created back in 2002, commemorating the toy’s 50th anniversary.
Mr Potato Head is shown holding the food bank’s sign, with the label ‘Help End Hunger,’ at the bottom.
Other Rhode Island natives think the license plate’s removal will negatively impact the food bank.
Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, said the plate has generated nearly $60,000 over the years.
‘While it has tapered off over the years, it’s been a steady way for people to contribute,’ MacDonald said.
Others shared concerns about the financial hits the food program may take with Newberry’s bill.
This image provided by Rhode Island DMV shows the Rhode Island specialty license plate, with Mr Potato Head holding a Rhode Island Community Food Bank sign, and the bottom of the plate readings ‘HELP END HUNGER’
Rhode Island State Republican Rep Brian C Newberry proposed the removal in early January 2026
The Rhode Island Community Food Bank, located in Providence, where the Mr Potato plates have contributed over $60,000 in fundraising to the operation
Exterior of Hasbro headquarters, which has made Pawtucket its home for over 70 years, now its departure is making residents bitter
‘My concern is, any cuts into the food programs is gonna affect some people,’ Volunteer Lew Pryeor told the outlet.
‘For him to say that he doesn’t like the plates, well, that’s your prerogative. Don’t buy them. If it’s making money for the state, let it.’
The Rhode Island Community Food Bank told NBC they are welcome new ideas to boost its fundraising efforts.
