I knew you'd have some good input (twWDFs).
Maybe the spiral started when you say, but I don't think the problem was as widespread until recently. I mean now you have to actively search for King Cake without all that spluge all over it. You can't just stop somewhere on your way to a party and pick up what was a formerly normal King Cake.
I think there are a lot more people selling King Cakes now, and they must get them from some common supplier who only offers cinnamon roll style cakes. You never used to be able to go into a gas station and pick up a king cake, IIRC.
And Rouse's is a culprit in this nasty King Cake debacle as well. Did you used to be able to get King Cakes at every grocery? I remember having to go to specific bakeries to score them.