The Polly Waffle is making a comeback thanks to South Australian confectioner Robern Menz which has bought the brand off Nestlé.
The agreement sees the fourth generation family-owned Australian confectionery company acquire the brand - which quietly disappeared from Aussie shelves a decade ago - as well as the trademark and the recipe.
The acquisition comes just 12 months after Robert Menz bought Violet Crumble from Nestlé which the company re-introduced in October of last year.
Since taking over the Violet Crumble brand, the company says it has been bombarded with requests to bring back the Polly Waffle bar.
“With production ceasing almost 10 years ago, Polly Waffle has entered into the territory of Australian legend,” Robern Menz CEO Phil Sims said.
“As an Australian family owned business, we have a real affinity for local brands and to have the opportunity to revive them and bring them back into the market is such a privilege.”
Polly Waffle was created by Melbourne-based business Hoadley’s Chocolate in 1947 and was acquired by UK-based confectioner Rowntrees in 1972. Swiss-based Nestlé bought it with the Rowntree Hoadley’s business in 1988 with the Polly Waffle chocolate bar discontinued in 2009.
“Polly Waffle is one of those iconic brands that despite its absence from market still has a loyal following,” Nestlé business executive officer – confectionery Chris O’Donnell said. “We wish Robern Menz the best of luck in bringing it back and giving Australia’s Polly Waffle lovers the opportunity to enjoy it once again.”
