NORTH CAROLINA -- The founder of Snoopy's Hot Dogs has passed away.

The company made the announcement on their Facebook page yesterday morning about the passing of Steve Webb.

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Webb passed away following complications of open-heart surgery at the New Hanover regional medical center in Wilmington on Halloween.

"A lot of times you see a business and it is just four walls, but Steve actually poured his heart and soul into all of his business ventures," said former employee Al Brown.

"He was always so good to me I could talk to him about anything," said Brenda Johnson, who has worked at Snoopy's for the last 37 years." If I needed help, he would always help me."

The original Snoopy's opened in 1978 off Wake Forest Road in Raleigh.

The hot dog stand celebrated 40 years in 2018.