Randy Chandler
Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese was a canned pasta product sold by the Franco-American Food Company, which was founded by French immigrant Alphonse Biardot and his sons in 1886. The company was acquired by Campbell Soup in 1915, and the Franco-American name was gradually phased out over the following decades. Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese was discontinued sometime in the late 1990s or early 2000s, and there is now a dedicated group of fans campaigning for its return.
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What You'll Learn
Nostalgia for Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese
Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese was a canned pasta product, part of a line of canned soups and pasta produced by the Franco-American Food Company, founded by French immigrant Alphonse Biardot and his sons in 1886. The company was acquired by Campbell Soup in 1915, and the Franco-American brand name was slowly phased out over the following decades, with the last products being rebranded in the late 1990s.
Despite its relatively short time on the market, Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese made a lasting impression on those who grew up eating it. Many people have fond memories of enjoying the product as children, with some even recalling specific details such as the long noodles, which earned them the nickname "worms". The product was convenient for busy parents and a treat for kids, who could even eat it straight from the can.
The impact of this product on its fans is evident in the numerous online petitions and comments pleading for its return. A Facebook group of devoted fans even campaigned for Campbell Soup to bring back their beloved Macaroni and Cheese. This nostalgia for Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese is a testament to the power of comfort food to evoke strong emotions and memories, even decades later.
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The Franco-American brand
In 1915, the company was acquired by the Campbell Soup Company, which continued to sell the Franco-American line of foods under the original brand name. The Franco-American name was eventually phased out over the next two decades for soup products and in the late 1990s for pasta products. However, the brand continued to advertise its products well into the 1970s, with Barry Manilow performing their jingle "Who Can?".
One of the brand's most memorable products was Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese, which was introduced in the 1970s and enjoyed immense popularity, especially among children. The product was unique, with its unusually long noodles, and it held a special place in the hearts of many consumers. So much so, that even after it was discontinued, people continued to search for it in stores and even petitioned Campbell's to bring it back.
The Franco-American MacaroniOs, which debuted in 1967 and disappeared five years later, also left a lasting impression. The product had its own fan base, with a Facebook group dedicated to bringing it back and sharing memories of this childhood favourite. Despite the eventual discontinuation of the Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese and MacaroniOs, their legacy lives on in the memories and taste buds of those who grew up enjoying these unique and beloved canned pasta products.
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Petitions to bring it back
Fans of Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese have been petitioning for its return since it was discontinued. The product was first introduced in 1967 and was discontinued in 1972, but it remains a beloved childhood memory for many. The unique, long noodles in a can were especially popular among Gen-Xers, who now long for its return.
A Facebook group of devoted fans has been campaigning for its return, and Change.org petitions have also been started. Many have contacted Campbell Soup, who bought the Franco-American brand in 1915, directly to request they bring back the product.
Some have expressed their disappointment at not realising the product had been discontinued, only discovering this after searching for it in stores in vain. Others have tried other macaroni and cheese products, but they do not compare to the original Franco-American version.
One person recalled how their mother, a single parent of three, relied on the product, and how the family still reminisce about it today. Another person shared how their grandmother would buy ten cans at a time to ensure they always had some.
The product holds a special place in the hearts of many, and the petitions and campaigns to bring it back demonstrate its enduring popularity.
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The unique appearance of the product
The Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese was a unique product with an equally unique appearance. The product was sold in cans, and the contents were described as having "strangely pale" and freakishly long and fat noodles. The long noodles were even likened to "worms" by some consumers. This unusual appearance did not detract from the product's popularity, however, as it was a favourite of many, especially those who grew up eating it.
The product was first introduced in 1967 and was produced for five years before being discontinued. Despite its short production run, it left a lasting impression on consumers, with some people even starting petitions for its return. The product was sold under the Franco-American brand, which was owned by the Campbell Soup Company. The Franco-American brand was phased out over time, with the pasta products, including the Macaroni and Cheese, being replaced by the main Campbell's brand in 2004.
The unique appearance of the Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese was likely due to the way it was processed and packaged. The product was canned, which may have resulted in the noodles becoming longer and thicker during the canning process. The canning process may also have affected the colour, resulting in the "strangely pale" appearance described by some consumers.
The long and thick noodles became a signature of the product, with some consumers even finding them endearing. The unique appearance of the Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese helped to set it apart from other similar products on the market. Despite its unusual looks, the product developed a loyal following, with consumers who fondly remember its distinct appearance and taste.
The product's unique appearance also sparked some negative reactions, with some consumers finding it unappetizing. One consumer described it as looking like "dead earthworms", highlighting how the unusual appearance could be off-putting to some. Despite these negative reactions, the product still maintained a dedicated fan base who continue to remember it fondly, even decades after its discontinuation.
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Other Franco-American products
Franco-American is a brand name of the Campbell Soup Company. It was founded by Alphonse Biardot, a French immigrant who settled in the United States in 1880. In 1886, he and his two sons opened a commercial kitchen in Jersey City, New Jersey, selling foods from Biardot's native country, France. The company was initially named the Franco-American Food Company.
The brand was particularly successful with its line of canned soups and pasta products. In 1915, Campbell's acquired the company and continued to sell the Franco-American line of foods under the original brand name. Aside from its famous Macaroni and Cheese, Franco-American also sold canned SpaghettiOs, RavioliOs, and regular spaghetti, along with beef, chicken, and turkey gravy varieties.
In 2004, Campbell's announced it would discontinue the Franco-American name for pasta products, replacing it with the main Campbell's brand. However, the Franco-American name continued to be used for gravy products and a small line of condensed soups. The brand's product line was advertised well into the 1970s, with Barry Manilow performing the jingle, "Who Can?".
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Frequently asked questions
It was discontinued by the Campbell Soup Company, which owns the Franco-American brand, sometime in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
Campbell's Soup Company phased out the Franco-American name for its soup products in the 1970s and for its pasta products in the 1990s.
There is a small but vocal group of people petitioning Campbell's to bring it back. You can email Campbell's, but they are unlikely to bring it back.
Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese was started by a French immigrant, Alphonse Biardot, and his sons in 1886 in Jersey City, New Jersey. The company became wildly successful, and its macaroni and cheese was remembered fondly by many who grew up eating it.
