Years ago a reporter asked me to name some supermarket foods I wouldn’t be embarrassed to serve to
company.
Frozen Dairy Dessert
Breyers Viennetta was one of my answers. Each flavor contained attractively layered folds of ice cream and crisp dark chocolate. It was elegant, convenient and tasty.
This week, a publicist approached me with the exciting news that Unilever is bringing Viennetta back for the holidays. She wrote,
“With a suggested retail price under $3.00, this frozen dessert cake of soft, rippling vanilla or chocolatey waves and crackling chocolatey layers allows hostesses to present a casually elegant dessert that won’t break the bank.”
Wow, I thought, this Viennetta is less expensive than the previous version. Not!
The original 15-ounce version was made with yummy Breyers Ice Cream; this 12-ounce one is a frozen dairy dessert, available until February 2009. That means instead of ice cream, this Viennetta consists of — nonfat milk, sugars, whey, cocoa, propylene glycol monoesters, cellulose gels, mono and diglycerides, locust bean gum, polysorbate 80, guar gum, natural flavor and carrageenan.
I would never think of serving this chemical version of Viennetta. But — in hopes that the folks from Unilever are reading this — I’ll ask, how about bringing the Breyers ice cream version back?
You are so right, Bonnie. What could Breyer’s product and marketing folks been thinking?
Savvy businesses realize that a recession is the time for small luxuries. A rich product that is readily available in the supermarket freezer and won’t break the budget, has big potential — especially a product that you can’t easily duplicate in your kitchen. Its perceived value is much greater than its cost.
So stop the production line, relaunch the all-natural version of Vennetta, spend a little to promote it, and watch it sell.
Sue
Are you listening Breyers?
I live in new york and I can,t find viennetta anywhere. I understand you are not delevering it to NY because the stores are’nt asking for it. Well I think it was the best of any of all your products. Please bring it back to NY
Thank You
John Spinella
I AGREE WITH JOHN SPINELLA, BRING BACK VIENNETTA ICE CREAM TO NY, IT WAS A GREAT PRODUCT AND MY FAMILY MISSES IT.
THANK YOU
PHYLLIS SCHIPPELL
Did it sell…………YES!! I was the the Sales Manager for Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream in the West from 1987 to 1998 and introduced Viennetta to the the United States. With just two flavors during the inital product launch (Vanilla and Chocolate) the results were out of sight. with less than 75% ACV distribution Vanilla was one of the Top 10 selling items in the Pacific NW and Northern California.
It truly was one of the most unique and cost effective desserts in the freezer. To my friends at Unilever, bring back the real Viennetta and enjoy the sweet success of incremental profits and satisfied consumers.
Eric, lucky you to be sales manager when the original Viennetta was introduced. That was a fabulous looking, good tasting REAL ice cream dessert — not full of chemical, as in this one. I do wonder why — if it was so popular — Breyers/Good Humor pulled it.
(BTW — for those of us not in sales, what is ACV?)
A = All
C = Commodity
V = Volume
ACV = The % of Stores Selling A Product
My birthday is December the 25th, and I did not have a birthday celebration until I was 32 years old. My husband was trying to give me the best ever birthday to make up for all the ones I never got and he asked me what kind of cake I wanted. I immediately said I want Viennetta. He looked for days before asking me again what kind of cake that was. I told him it was a delicious confection of ice cream and crispy chocolate in waves of awesomeness shaped like a cake.
Days later he was still telling me he could not find it. I did not believe him and knowing that he still cannot locate his own socks at home, I went looking for it.
In shock I finally realized it must not be being sold any longer. This made me sad, and my husband upset since he is just a doll and wanted to give me the best.
So Breyer’s / Good Humor take note, you could have been the centerpiece for the best birthday ever. Instead you caused stress and disappointment. Please return this fabulous decadent desert to the store shelves!
Please, please bring back the original version of Viennetta ice creme all throughout the year and not just during holiday time only. When there is such a great demand for a product, you should take advantage of it. Not many people know about this delicious Viennetta ice creme because you do not advertise here in U.S., and so people do not know about this great product. I know about it because I used to eat it in London, England all the time. It is so different from other ice cremes.
I was so excited when I saw Viennetta in the grocery store. I remember eating it with my grandma when I was little a girl. I have to say, it is nothing like I remember it. I know it is different, but it was just gross. Not only was it completely freezer burnt, but the flavor was not even the same. Why are they not making the same one any more?
I got one yesterday from Kroger in John’s Creek, GA. Can’t wait to get home tonight and eat it with friends as a fine desert treat. Hope it tastes like I remember when grandma got them for our family dinners. Scared from the posts of different thoughts
We are thrilled to see Viennetta has such loyal fans! Unfortunately, the product will be returning in very limited quantities this winter. At this point we are unable to speculate about years to come.
– Shelley Ward, on behalf of Unilever Ice Cream
To Shelley Ward —
Just to be clear — you mean the original recipe Viennetta is returning? Since members of this site have been pushing so hard for it, can you give us a hint when to look for it in our stores so we don’t miss out?
Thanks.
Thank you for your question. We anticipate Viennetta will be available at the following retailers over the next few months. However, we do recommend calling your local retailer to confirm they indeed have the product in stock prior to shopping. Enjoy!
Kroger (excluding stores in the southwest region of the US)
City Markets
Food 4 Less
Foodland
Fred Meyer
Fry’s
Kessel
King Soopers
Payless Supermarkets
Peyton
Quality Food Centers
Ralph’s
Smith Food & Drug
World Wide Gourmet
– Shelley Ward, on behalf of Unilever Ice Cream
I just spotted Viennetta at my local Kroger in the Detroit area. This is the first time I have seen it in years. My mother used to buy it and my brother and I went nuts over it when we were kids. I am so excited to have it again but I am disappointed to hear that the ingredients are creepy. I am still going to eat it but I may not be buying another.
I have also been searching for Viennetta with no luck. Unfortunately I do not have any of the stores you mentioned in my area, Shelley. I live in the Philadelphia area, could you tell me what the closest store that would carry it would be?
Unfortunately, retailers in Pennsylvania do not currently carry Viennetta. Most Kroger stores carry the product, however the closest Kroger stores to Philadelphia are in Ohio or West Virginia. I wish I had a closer option for you! Thank you!
Hi Shelley,
Can the Viennetta cakes be found in Greensboro or elsewhere in central North Carolina? How about Harris Teeter?
Thanks!
I found them last year (Dec 2008) in Lowe’s Foods in Archdale, NC. I bought 10 of them because they said it was a Holiday item only. Went back this year to get them and they didn’t have them. You don’t know what you are missing people if you haven’t tried one.
Shelley, my birthday daughter’s eyes lit up as she requested this for her birthday desert, but 1) I’m nervous about a different recipe; and 2) the St. Louis MO area stores seem to not have it and aren’t sure why. Are you still marketing it in this area?
Mike,
Kroger stores in North Carolina should be carrying Viennetta but you may want to call to check first. Harris Teeter is not carrying the product.
Ruth Ann, I am checking on St. Louis for you.
Thank you!
Hi, Ruth Ann, we recommend you check Kroger stores in the St. Louis area. If you don’t have any luck, let me know. Thank you!
Shelley: Alas, Kroger closed their St. Louis stores several years ago. Any other options?
Ruth Ann,
Unfortunately I don’t have any other options for you in St. Louis since Kroger closed. Wish I had better news for you!
Shelley-
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of readers/consumers. There’s obviously a lot of consumer interest in this product. We realize you are doing your best to help readers find Vienetta, but it’s missing from a lot of stores that normally carry other Unilever and Bryer’s products.
Is there some way to help the product and marketing decision-makers understand the current high demand for affordable luxury translates to foods/desserts, as well as other products?
Please, please bring back the original Breyers version of Viennetta…we got it at Kroger’s in Houston, TX a few years back, but have missed it greatly…why will it not be available in the South West ? and why would you only have it at Holiday time ?…it was such a fabulous product, it boggles the mind that it would be of such limited availability…from the earlier comments, I won’t even try the current product…Breyers, listen up !!!…we want the original product back and are willing to pay for it…please reconsider your decision…Nancy James
On Jan 6, 2010, at 11:17 PM, Eric Egland wrote:
An ad ran today in Portland, Oregon for Viennetta at a retailer that traditionally sells close to date and or discontinued products.
Viennetta $1.00 each. I’m going to shop at one of these stores during the next few days and purchase the product. I personally want to taste the difference many of you have described recently. I introduced (the orgininal) Viennetta into the United States on the West Coast in the late 80’s and early 90’s. We introduced three flavors (Vanilla, Chocolate and Mint). Vanilla was always in the Top 10 as to consumer preference/purchases. More to follow…………….
Eric G. Egland
West Linn, Oregon
Thank you for your comments. The Unilever marketing team is very interested in feedback, and has recognized the enthusiasm surrounding Viennetta as something to keep in mind. – Shelley Ward, on behalf of Unilever Ice Cream
I was able to purchase the new Vienetta at my local Acme store in Clifton Heights, PA. I agree that it is not as good as the original. It seems a little bit “grainier” (if that is a word)and not as smooth as the original. Not bad, but not what I remembered.
Yes, please bring it back & to St. Louis, MO! The whole family loved it. About 2 years ago I found it at a Shop n Save. It’s what one of children always requests for their Birthday, which is today. Come on, please bring it back, in such a crazy world how can Unilever deny us such a simple pleasure???,
It sure looks as though Bonnie’s Viennetta Tidbite has unleashed a consumer movement. I wonder why there’s no definitive action by the company when so many readers are saying they’d be willing to pay a bit more for the original Breyer’s version. Can Shelley or someone else from Breyers or Unilever fill us in? Aren’t you pleased with such an outpouring of product loyalty? Why not just schedule a relaunch and let us know?
I used to love Viennetta as a child. It was a special dessert for rewards, and also made me feel better when I was sick. I was terribly sad when it disappeared from local markets.
Now, I live in Japan and recently discovered the tasty treat in a convenience store called Family Mart. As I write this, I am enjoying a slice of Viennetta, exactly as I remember it from my childhood.
Will Viennetta be in New York anytime soon or any of the tri state areas? I will travel for this ice cream If anyone knows of a supermarket please share.
I found it in France back in May and it was just as great as it was when I was a child.
Unfortunately, Viennetta is not available in New York at this time. The closest location would be a Kroger store in Virginia, West Virginia or Ohio.
Thank you,
Shelley Ward
On behalf of Unilever Ice Cream
Thanks for all the info about Vienetta. I am the Food Mgr. at Sunny Hill Resort in upstate NY. We served the individual Vienettas for years. All of a sudden they weren’t available anymore. I have guests still asking me where the Vienetta went. They have been posting their favorite desserts on Facebook, and Vienetta always comes up. Please bring it back. Big Bill at SunnyHill.com
I have been looking for Vienetta for so many years and now I am discovering that it is unavailable! I am not going to gripped. Instead I offer my hand to help bring it back!!!!!!!
Viennetta was the one happy memory I have of my brother and me getting along as kids. Such a yummy dessert. I remember we both split the cost of it and we had to scrounge money for it. Was totally worth it. Would love to know its possible to get still. Anyone know if it is possible to get here in Hawaii?
Shelley-
We don’t envy you in having to say repeatedly that Viennetta is not available here or there. And you haven’t responded to questions about the original-recipe product. I’m sure no one here wants to embarrass you or your company; we simply want a product or at least to know why it doesn’t seem to be coming back.
Can you tell us who at your company makes the decision on this product so we can write directly to that person. It is mind-boggeling that a consumer product manufacturer would ignore so many people who really want a product and are willing to pay more for it. The 30+ people here are obviously representative of a much much larger group that never writes. There must be a good reason why our voices aren’t being heard — or we must make them louder and in the proper ear.
So where and to whom can we call/write and reach the actual decision-maker?
Like many of you here, I love this Ice Cream. This was always an evening treat around my house. I wold be delighted to see this item returned to the grocery stores in N FL.
In addition to the numerous Vienetta fans, I too have been wondering for years why this wonderful dessert was discontinued.
Over the years, I have searched various grocers for this dessert, only to be disappointed. I don’t understand why a popular dessert amongst the masses with such simple ingredients is in such short and inconsistent supply.
Bring Vienetta back! Not for a season or two, but indefinitely!
Thank you for your additional feedback on Viennetta. We are continuing to share all comments with the appropriate decision makers. To address Sue’s question about the recipe, Viennetta has been reformulated a couple of times in its history. When the product reentered the marketplace after being discontinued for a few years, it was reformulated to be a frozen dairy dessert, which creates a lighter textured product. Also, to answer Nesha’s question, unfortunately Viennetta is not available in Hawaii. We appreciate your loyalty to the product and your comments.
Thank you,
Shelley Ward
On behalf of Unilever Ice Cream
I just saw this ice cream on a tv show and brought back memories, It was my favorite ice cream desert growing up. Please bring it back
Please bring back Vienetta Icecream cakes!! These were my favorite growing up and I haven’t been able to find one for years!!!
4/1/10 How long is it going to take before our wishes are granted ? You must bring this little treasure back to us, but not regionally, all over the country. It boggles the mind that this is such an issue and can’t be solved easily. The original would be best, but I bet we’d settle for anything ‘close’. Please, please make this happen, won’t you ?……hopefully yours, Nancy James
I love Vienetta ice cream and am willing to pay extra for it. Unilever please bring it back!
Viennetta is one of my families favorite treats, the best fo all events and holidays or a house warming gift to be shared. I’m not pleased knowing that the new one is all chemicals, I would like to see the original again. I found it at the grocery outlet and bought all 20 to stock up incase I couldn’t find it anymore. I hope they listen to the public demand “BRING IT BACK” (The original).
Please bring back Vienetta! I know it is still sold in Ireland and the UK (made by HB Icecream) but I can’t get it here in the US (NY)
Hi. is it available anywhere in arizona? Ive only had Viennetta a couple of times when i was younger b/c my mom wouldnt buy stuff like that very often so i kinda want to try it again but its not available. I wasnt even aware that it came out for a while last year. Hopefully they bring it back. Youd think with so many people asking for it they would.
I live in western Wisconsin and have been wondering about Vienetta for years!? I’m HOPING that it could possibly be around my area? It was such a decadent treat that our mom would get for us kids once a month…and then it dissapeared!? Please if possible let me know if it is available in Wisconsin. It was such a great childhood memory…I’m hoping your company will see the demand and childhood reminiscence for it and bring it back for good! Thanks!!!
Was wondering if there’s anywhere to buy Vienetta in Illinois or Florida? It’s an amazing treat.