Fantales: Allens to increase discontinued lolly production in final month
Production of one of Australia’s most iconic lollies will be increased in the weeks before it ceases forever, thanks to an “enormous rush” in demand.
Manufacturer Nestle announced last week that after nearly a century, Fantales would be discontinued. The decision was prompted by declining sales of the chocolate-covered caramels – famed for the movie star stories printed on the wrappers – and the need for significant and expensive upgrades in order to make the sweet at Nestle’s Melbourne confectionary factory.
Devastation over the news has been so great, however, that Fantales are now sold out across the country – with Allens spokesperson Margaret Stuart saying they’ve increased production until late next month to meet the high demand.
“It’s just completely off the chart in terms of this enormous rush,” Ms Stuart told 3AW’s Heidi Murphy. “You are hard-pressed to find a Fantale out there in stores right now.”
Confectionary shops and supermarkets across Queensland echoed a similar sentiment, with purveyors telling The Courier-Mail they’d been inundated with Fantales orders and phone calls asking for stock.
Great Aussie Sweet Company, in Brisbane’s South Bank, has sold more than 30kg of the sweet since the announcement, while Tom’s Confectionary manager Sam Major said his Hendra store was getting hundreds of calls each day.
“Without notice we heard news, we had people tag us about it,” Mr Major said, adding sales of the product were usually really slow.
“Within the space of a few hours, all the stock we had was committed. Even our suppliers’ stock was committed. We’ve been scrounging to get what we can.”
A huge number of customers had signed up to the store’s website to be notified about when stock was coming, and “we’ve had hundreds of calls each day asking if we’ve got any stock”.
“We are hoping to get some in the next week. We’ve put a large order in but we will see how much of that we will get.”
Anyone who has managed to get their hands on a bag or two is making the most of it – with sellers taking to Facebook Marketplace and eBay to hawk single packets of Fantales for as much as $80 a pop, or $2000 for a box of 10.
Once declared by The New York Times to be Australia’s most defining lolly, Nestle Oceania Confectionary General Manager Andrew Lawrey acknowledged in a statement on Tuesday “our decision to stop making Fantales will be sad news for many people”.
The chewy caramels were first created in 1930, wrapped in “fan tales” of actors and musicians as a response to Hollywood’s golden age.
“Many of us grew up with Fantales and have fond memories of them. Despite the sense of nostalgia Fantales evoke, unfortunately people simply aren’t buying them as often as they used to,” Mr Lawrey said.
He explained that the equipment necessary to produce the sweet also needed significant investment.
“It’s become increasingly difficult to get the parts we need to maintain it, and with declining sales, replacing it isn’t viable.”
If the news had you concerned about other nostalgic Aussie lollies, though, rest assured.
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“While investment in the future of Fantales is not sustainable, we’re continuing to invest in other Allen’s lollies, including fan favourites such as Snakes Alive, Party Mix and Minties,” Mr Lawrey said.
The last production of Fantales will be in mid-July, and the lolly will remain on sale while stocks last.
Nestle confirmed all staff from the Fantales production line will move to other roles within the factory.
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