Greggs Customers Fume Over Major Change to Popular Treat
Greggs, the beloved high street bakery chain with over 2,000 locations across the UK, has sparked outrage among its loyal customer base after making a significant change to one of its popular sweet treats. Fans of the iconic brand are expressing their dismay, with many declaring they will "never forget" the switch-up that has left them feeling nostalgic and disappointed.
The Iconic Bakery and Its Offerings
Greggs is a cornerstone of British culture, renowned for its extensive range of savoury and sweet products. From timeless classics like the sausage roll, steak bake, and cheese and onion pasty to modern additions such as the vegan sausage roll, salads, sandwiches, and pasta, the bakery has something for everyone. Its sweet selection includes biscuits, donuts, cakes, éclairs, and more, with the chain selling an estimated 2.5 million sausage rolls weekly in the UK, equating to around 140 million annually.
The Controversial Change to the Star Biscuit
While many Greggs products have become household names, one item has undergone a dramatic transformation that has largely gone unnoticed until recently. The Star Biscuit, described on the Greggs website as a "crunchy star shaped biscuit coated in milk chocolate and topped with sugar sprinkles," was once known by a much quirkier name: Spikey Mikey. This original moniker has deep roots among long-time fans, who continue to refer to the treat by its old name, leading to confusion and frustration.
Customer Backlash on Social Media
The issue came to light on Reddit, where a user shared a composite image comparing the biscuit's past and present. On the left, the product was labeled as "Spikey Mikey" priced at 80p, while on the right, it appeared as "Star Biscuit" costing £1.10. The image was captioned with text reading, "I will never forget what they did," and the post's title echoed this sentiment with, "We will never forget." In the comments section, users passionately shared their thoughts:
- One person stated, "Real OGs still call them Spikey Mikey."
- Another humorously referenced The Godfather, saying, "Look how they massacred my boy."
- A third commented, "Yes! I used to call them spichael michaels!!" with a reply noting, "Me too!! Even when I worked there."
Many expressed confusion over the change, with one user asking, "Why is it not a spikey mikey anymore?" and another sharing, "I asked for one the other day and the server looked at me like I had two heads. Sad." Some were unaware of the original name, prompting responses like, "Seems you don’t know your Greggs history youngling…" and "That’s awful, people need to know they were called Spikey Mikeys!"
Greggs' History and Legacy
Founded over 80 years ago in Newcastle by John Gregg, the bakery started with a simple goal: delivering fresh egg and yeast to families in the northern city by pushbike. A decade later, Gregg opened Greggs of Gosforth, where he began making fresh bread and treats, laying the foundation for the high street giant it is today. The company emphasizes its family-oriented values, stating on its website, "With over 2,000 Greggs in the UK, the important stuff still matters to us. We're hard-working, but above all else we're family; and it doesn’t matter who you are, where you are from or what your favourite bake is, when you come into our shops, you’re part of the family too."
Despite this warm sentiment, the name change to the Star Biscuit has left many fans feeling disconnected from the brand's heritage, highlighting how even small alterations can stir strong emotions among loyal customers.
