The LuLac Edition #5, 779, September 27th, 2026

 

HOT POCKETS GOT RID OF THEIR CRISPING 

SLEEVE YEARS AGO — AND PEOPLE ARE JUST NOTICING

Customers who have recently purchased Hot Pockets have noticed a big change to the product’s packaging: It’s no longer enrobed in a crisping sleeve.

The paper sleeve, also known as a susceptor (the more you know!), was lined with a thin metallic film that prevented the Hot Pocket from getting soggy.

“I know we’re in an economic crisis right now, because I just got a thing of Hot Pockets, and ... they don’t even come with the ‘pocket’ anymore, just with the ‘hot,’” TikToker Luis Acosta says in an Aug. 2 video. “You can’t even afford the pocket.”

Customers noticed the change as far back as 2023, and Nestle published an info page about it on its recipe website, GoodNes, in July 2024, according to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.

“Our microwave sleeve has officially been retired,” the site reads, accompanied by an illustration of a sleeveless, skateboarding Hot Pocket.

Under a section titled, “Why Sleeveless,” the brand explains that eliminating the sleeve “saves enough material that would wrap around the world... twice!”

 

NEW FOODS COMING TO WILKES-BARRE

As if we didn’t have enough dining options, there’s more coming to Luzerne County. A number of new food options are coming to Wilkes-Barre Township, including three new chicken restaurants.

Raising Cane's will open a location along Mundy Street, next to Olive Garden and Orloski’s Car Wash. The former Blaze Pizza nearby will be home to Dave’s Hot Chicken.

A fast-food hall called Wonder Restaurant will join Raising Cane's and Dave's Hot Chicken on Mundy Street. It features 20 different cuisines from one kitchen, including brands like 'Bobby Flay Steak' and 'Di-Fara Pizza.'

Assad’s Hot Chicken is set to open Friday along Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard in the Wilkes Plaza across from Price Chopper.

European grocery store NetCost Groceries has plans to move into the former Party City near the Arena Hub Shopping Plaza.

And finally, a Crumble Cookie is expected to set up shop in the Wilkes-Barre Township Marketplace near Walmart.

Opening dates for the new dining options in Wilkes-Barre Township have not yet