Michigan restaurant announces it will change the name of their award-winning 'Crack Fries' because the drug epidemic 'is not funny'

  • Michigan restaurant chain Hopcat is changing the name of its Crack Fries
  • Hopcat announced the change on Tuesday to be more considerate of 'those the drug negatively affected' 
  • The chain said: 'The crack epidemic and the lasting impact on those it affects is not funny and never was'
  • The change is a part of a company-wide menu reprint to take effect in January 
  • The Crack Fries made it onto the Food Network's America's 10 Best Fries list
  • Every year the restaurant hosts an all you can eat contest with the fries   

A Michigan restaurant is changing the name of their famous 'Crack Fries' to a title that's less offensive.

Hopcat, a popular chain based in Ann Arbor, announced on Tuesday it would rename their Crack Fries citing that the drug epidemic is no laughing matter, while assuring customers the award-winning recipe would remain the same.  

'We chose the name more than 11 years ago as a reference to the addictive quality of the fries and their cracked pepper seasoning, without consideration for those the drug negatively affected. We were wrong,' the chain said in a statement on Tuesday.  

'The crack epidemic and the lasting impact on those it affects is not funny and never was,' the chain added.  

Michigan restaurant chain Hopcat announced on Tuesday it will change the name of their famous Crack Fries after creating the dish 11 years ago, to be more considerate of victims of the drug epidemic

Michigan restaurant chain Hopcat announced on Tuesday it will change the name of their famous Crack Fries after creating the dish 11 years ago, to be more considerate of victims of the drug epidemic

In a statement on Tuesday the company said: 'The crack epidemic and the lasting impact on those it affects is not funny and never was'

In a statement on Tuesday the company said: 'The crack epidemic and the lasting impact on those it affects is not funny and never was'

The restaurant chain explained that the name change will be a part of a company-wide menu reprint to take effect in mid-January and is a move to better support the community. 

'Our vision for creating an inclusive company that supports our communities, shows love for our team and best serves our guests is not compatible with the continued use of the Crack Fries name,' the chain said. 

Hopcat also thanked community members who flagged the controversial nature of the Crack Fries name. 

'We want to thank our guests, employees and community members who have helped us come to this realization and apologize for the pain the name brought to others,' the company statement said.  

Hopcat (logo above) first opened in Grand Rapids in 2008 and has 17 locations throughout Michigan

Hopcat (logo above) first opened in Grand Rapids in 2008 and has 17 locations throughout Michigan

'We are grateful for the support we’ve received over the years and your love of our fries. While we know it will take time to get used to this change, we are confident in our decision. It is not only the right thing to do, it reflects who we are,' the statement closed.  

The fries were honored by Food Network as among America's 10 Best French Fries, according to Madison.com. 

The Crack Fries are so popular for the Michigan chain that the restaurant hods an annual fries eating contest to celebrate.    

Hopcat first opened in Grand Rapids in 2008 and has 17 locations throughout Michigan.