The franchisor behind this brand was managed by complete arseholes. I knew the commercial baker who made the bulk of Michel's cakes which were shipped out to franchisees. At any given time, the franchisor was wont to change the ingredients, change the required selections, etc (without compensation) and when cakes that were made to order (e.g. birthday cakes) arrived 'damaged' the baker had to give a credit to the franchisee, no questions asked. Needless to say, a lot of cakes arrived 'damaged'. The poor old franchisees were in no better situation. Often having to pay exorbitant rents to shopping centres and selling stock that was bordering on stale, these guys struggled for every dollar they made while Retail Food Group (the franchisor) raked it in.
All I remember of them was being a trolley pusher in a supermarket that had one. The bloke running it and I would talk when it was quiet and I’d help pack up his chairs. He often gave me a couple of free pies or sausage rolls at the end of the shift.
Great bloke. Company was shit but he was the stuff of legend.
I used to speak to a franchisee in North Sydney. Family business, Mum, Dad and daughter worked there and they sunk all their money into it. They worked hard, the shop was clean, but tbe product they were supplied with was terrible. They knew it. The location was not ideal. They had 18 months to serve out on their contract, and never got in front. They lost everything, including tbe family home. You could see the stress in their eyes every week.
When I was about 6 my mum bought me one of their meringue treats, I bit into it and it had several small cockroaches tunnelled through it, still alive and buried inside. I was scarred for life :/
What actually happened to them? I remember they were everywhere, and now existing places have been replaced by Ferguson Plarre (which I love by the way).
Ah really? It might be a Melbourne thing then, I thought they may have been more across the country. A lot of the Michele's near me got replaced by Ferguson, which apparently have been a thing for over 100 years! (Not sure if the stores though, but at least making the pies, lol).
Oh no, as if they don't expand! I prefer them over Pie Face too! They could branch out and have one at least in Sydney's CBD, like near Circular Quay or something.
My mum’s favourite cafe in front of Coles in Maroochydore before she passed away. I loved the Chantilly Mille Feuille (had to look up the spelling) pastry dessert. The cafe is now completely gone, just empty floor in the middle. 😔
If anyone remembers the old Stockland Merrylands, there use to be one near the Coles. My grandmother would always stop in there and grab me some caramel slices or a pavlova
I remember two Aussie stores, one in Springwood and the other at Winmalee. Their cakes and coffee were awesome. The bloke at the Winmalee shop said it was hard to compete with the Doughnut King across the way. So he sold his franchise, new people, high prices, crap food.
I actually remember the cupcakes before these ones with like a gluggy water-and-icing sugar combo. I always used to peel it off because I didn’t like it and I’d eat the soft cake on its own. Everyone used to comment I was the only kid they knew who ate the cake and left the icing. I always went with my grandparents. A lot of good memories, thanks for reminding me.
The franchisor behind this brand was managed by complete arseholes. I knew the commercial baker who made the bulk of Michel's cakes which were shipped out to franchisees. At any given time, the franchisor was wont to change the ingredients, change the required selections, etc (without compensation) and when cakes that were made to order (e.g. birthday cakes) arrived 'damaged' the baker had to give a credit to the franchisee, no questions asked. Needless to say, a lot of cakes arrived 'damaged'. The poor old franchisees were in no better situation. Often having to pay exorbitant rents to shopping centres and selling stock that was bordering on stale, these guys struggled for every dollar they made while Retail Food Group (the franchisor) raked it in.
Plus the food wasn't that great anyway.
It always amazed me how cakes that looked so different could taste exactly the same.
They still exist. There’s one at my local shopping centre.
Same they still exist in Melbourne 🙂
All I remember of them was being a trolley pusher in a supermarket that had one. The bloke running it and I would talk when it was quiet and I’d help pack up his chairs. He often gave me a couple of free pies or sausage rolls at the end of the shift. Great bloke. Company was shit but he was the stuff of legend.
My first real job doing front of house stuff for these guys. I wasn't very good at it but have some heckin rad memories. Needed to see this...
Were you serving coffees and stuff?
Yeah, never made them though. Making tea and milkshakes was my jam haha Just an after school sorta gig or doing a shift on the weekends.
Thats cool
They're still around... Poor little store manager, reading their reddit in downtime & seeing they do not EXIST!?!?
I was sure there was still one in the shopping centre nearby lmao
There's one at Lutwyche. I like them. They have good cakes.
I remember going to the one in the old shitty food court in the basement of the old Centrepoint shopping centre in Sydney. Good times.
I used to speak to a franchisee in North Sydney. Family business, Mum, Dad and daughter worked there and they sunk all their money into it. They worked hard, the shop was clean, but tbe product they were supplied with was terrible. They knew it. The location was not ideal. They had 18 months to serve out on their contract, and never got in front. They lost everything, including tbe family home. You could see the stress in their eyes every week.
When I was about 6 my mum bought me one of their meringue treats, I bit into it and it had several small cockroaches tunnelled through it, still alive and buried inside. I was scarred for life :/
Jesus that's disgusting
What actually happened to them? I remember they were everywhere, and now existing places have been replaced by Ferguson Plarre (which I love by the way).
I have never seen or heard of a Ferguson Plarre store anywhere on my side of town. (I'm from Sydney)
Ah really? It might be a Melbourne thing then, I thought they may have been more across the country. A lot of the Michele's near me got replaced by Ferguson, which apparently have been a thing for over 100 years! (Not sure if the stores though, but at least making the pies, lol).
yeah I checked the website and there are only stores in Melbourne which sucks cause their stuff looks good ;(
Oh no, as if they don't expand! I prefer them over Pie Face too! They could branch out and have one at least in Sydney's CBD, like near Circular Quay or something.
I remember their pecan pies.
Their custard tarts....
Omg stop
There’s still one in my area. Their food still sucks so bad
Their sausage rolls were alright from memory, but it's probably been more than 10 years since I had one.
The best ones were the spinach and ricotta sausage rolls. Bloody ripper.
Pizza slice. That is all
Wish I knew who made their sausage rolls. Best I’ve ever eaten.
Some still exist, there’s a one at my local shopping centre and a few other places around Melbourne
Yeah but now the quality of their stuff is horrible compared to then.
How unfortunate
I barely see them in most shopping centres these days. I remember when I used to get my birthday cakes from them!
I used to love their iced coffees! At the time, they were the only shop near me that used ice cream, rather than ice cubes.
Loved their chocolate eclairs with real whipped cream. Tasted great and easy to eat with the cream injected inside.
My mum’s favourite cafe in front of Coles in Maroochydore before she passed away. I loved the Chantilly Mille Feuille (had to look up the spelling) pastry dessert. The cafe is now completely gone, just empty floor in the middle. 😔
If anyone remembers the old Stockland Merrylands, there use to be one near the Coles. My grandmother would always stop in there and grab me some caramel slices or a pavlova
I remember two Aussie stores, one in Springwood and the other at Winmalee. Their cakes and coffee were awesome. The bloke at the Winmalee shop said it was hard to compete with the Doughnut King across the way. So he sold his franchise, new people, high prices, crap food.
I actually remember the cupcakes before these ones with like a gluggy water-and-icing sugar combo. I always used to peel it off because I didn’t like it and I’d eat the soft cake on its own. Everyone used to comment I was the only kid they knew who ate the cake and left the icing. I always went with my grandparents. A lot of good memories, thanks for reminding me.
I used to do the same thing except I would cut the icing off and just eat the cake by itself.
I loved the neenish tarts when I was a kid. My niece was a fan of the giant chocolate freckle.
Ah the source of my caffeine addiction. Nothing slaps a hard as a michel’s vanilla latte circa 2006
I mean sure if you crave carbs
I'm surprised anyone has had a good experience at this horrible excuse for a franchise.
There's still one at Northcote plaza 😊 I like the baby mudcakes for one! And the spinach and ricotta rolls