Greggs customers left fuming after bakery chain AXES popular menu item
GREGGS customers have been lefting fuming after the chain stopped selling a popular menu items.
The bakery chain has halted selling its ham salad baguette - leaving fans scouring multiple branches in search of them.
The lunch item has dropped off the menu in favour of other fresh baguettes, despite regulars insisting it was popular.
One fan missing the sarnie asked Greggs on X.com, formerly known as Twitter, this week: “Why have you stopped selling ham salad baguettes?
“I've been in multiple stores and none have had any or even a place on the shelf where they would be. Surely it's not that unpopular you've binned them?”
Another previously asked: “Was so upset to be told that your ham salad baguettes have been discontinued while at your Marlborough store today.
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“That’s my midweek treat every week and seems to be very popular.”
A third added: “I would have loved a ham salad baguette but for some bizarre reason you have stopped doing them! Scandalous!”
A fourth asked: “What an incredibly wrong decision to remove a classic.”
And the discussion also appeared on Reddit, where one fan said: “Devastated, it's my favourite baguette of theirs!!”
Greggs hinted the ham salad baguette might come back as it’s currently “on a break”, having been removed around the start of this year.
A Greggs spokesperson said: “The Ham Salad Baguette is taking a break from the menu however we still have an extensive range of freshly prepared baguettes for our customers to enjoy including Roast Chicken & Bacon Club, Tuna Crunch and Tandoori Chicken."
Fans missing their ham baguettes could also opt for a ham and egg salad roll, which typically costs around £3.25.
Greggs often switches up its menu to introduce fresh and innovative options and create a buzz around the latest launches.
Last month the company announced it was introducing a new barbecue crispy chicken burger and wrap as part of its hot made-to-order range, which is available in 150 of its shops, with plans to further expand to 300 branches by Spring.
Other recent innovations include the launch of a fish finger sandwich and wrap, while its vegan steak bakes were removed last year to make way for new choices.
Why are products axed or recipes changed?
ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.
Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.
They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.
There are several reasons why this could be done.
For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes.
Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.
They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.
For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.
It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.
Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.
Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.
While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.
What other items have been discontinued?
Greggs is not the only chain to discontinue items recently.
McDonald's also regularly shakes up its menu offering.
As new items arrived last month, several other fan favourites were axed.
First to go is The BBQ Ranch Stack, which has only been available since January this year.
Joining the cull was the Milky Way McFlurry - a pot of creamy dairy ice cream swirled with milk chocolate stars and crunchy malt pieces and drizzled with chocolate sauce.
The third to be taken off the menu was the unusual Grimace Shake.
Elsewhere, Subway is among the brands which has discontinued popular items.
The takeaway chain's sweet chilli sauce was a popular addition to its famous “subs” until January last year - but has lately been phased out to make way for new condiments.
It's not just fast food chains either.
Last month, we revealed that The Village Bakery Chilli Cheese Topped Rolls will no longer be available at Aldi.
The rolls came in a pack of four and were topped with a full slice of chilli cheddar cheese.
They cost £1.35 and were described by shoppers as having a "warming chilli taste" and were "best dunked in soup".
The supermarket has also recently discontinued its Very Berry Museli, which was a popular breakfast must-have.
The cereal came with rolled oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruits such as berries and cost around £1.99.
Meanwhile, Asda has pulled its OMV instant hot chocolate from shelves.
The supermarket has also stopped offering the Heinz tomato and lentil ragu sauce, £2, after the flavour was discontinued.
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Plus Lidl shoppers can no longer get their hands on bakery favourite the Cronut, after it was discontinued last year.
The popular treat was a cross between a doughnut and a croissant and was dusted with sugar.
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