7️⃣ The Resellers, The Copycats, and The Chaos
As with every viral food craze, imitators appeared overnight.
Bakeries across Austin, Dallas, and Houston began offering “their version” of the croissant donut.
Some even printed signs:
“Yes, our donuts are the viral ones. No, we’re not H-E-B.”
Resale listings appeared on eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
One user claimed to “overnight ship Texas donuts anywhere in the U.S.” for $39.99. (Spoiler: they melted in transit.)
8️⃣ The Brands Strike Back
H-E-B eventually responded with a cheeky TikTok:
🎵 “We didn’t mean to start a war, but y’all made us famous.” 🎵
The video hit 10 million views, confirming what everyone knew — it was more than food; it was a cultural moment.
Soon, local cafes jumped in, remixing the trend:
- “Bluebonnet Glazed” donuts in Austin
- “Lone Star Honey Rings” in Houston
- “Cowboy Cream Cronuts” in San Antonio
Even Krispy Kreme posted a meme:
“We see you, Texas 👀.”