McDonald's New Zealand
 | |
| Industry | Fast food restaurant |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Greenlane, Auckland , |
Number of locations | 161 |
Area served | New Zealand |
| Products | Hamburgers, french fries and soft drinks |
| Parent | McDonald's Corporation |
McDonald's New Zealand is the New Zealand branch of the international fast food restaurant chain McDonald's. The first restaurant was opened in Porirua in 1976. An estimated one million people visit the restaurant each week.[1]
History
The first McDonald's restaurant in New Zealand opened on Cobham Court in central Porirua on Monday 7 June 1976, however it was not officially opened until the following Saturday. Problems were encountered opening the restaurant due to strict import laws at the time, which limited importing of overseas products that could be produced in New Zealand. The kitchen for the Porirua restaurant was imported on the condition that it was to allow local companies to reproduce it, and it was to be sent back after 12 months. However, the kitchen had been cemented into the floor and removing parts of it while still maintaining the restaurant operation meant it was impossible. The New Zealand affiliate eventually negotiated with the Corporation to import more kitchens in exchange for a large surplus of cheese the New Zealand Dairy Board (now Fonterra) had.[2]
The second restaurant opened in Auckland in the old Auckland Savings Bank Building on Queen Street in July 1977. Restaurants in New Lynn and Lower Hutt opened in 1978, being the first restaurants with drive-throughs. By the end of the decade, restaurants had also opened in Takapuna, Henderson, and Courtenay Place (central Wellington).[3]
Expansion in the first ten years was initially limited to the North Island. The first South Island restaurants opened on 3 November 1987 at Merivale and Linwood in Christchurch. Problems finding franchisees meant the opening of the third restaurant at Riccarton was delayed until later, while the franchisees of the Whangarei restaurant transferred south to the Merivale restaurant on the promise of making "bucket loads of money" and the possibility of a second restaurant in the future. When both Linwood and Merivale almost broke worldwide opening day records, just losing the title due to a poor exchange rate, it was reported the Merivale franchisees sent a message to management asking for more buckets.[4]
The 50th New Zealand McDonald's restaurant opened in 1991 at Chartwell Square Mall, Hamilton. The 100th restaurant opened five years later at the Auckland University of Technology.
McDonald's purchased the fast-food chain Georgie Pie from Progressive Enterprises in 1996. Georgie Pie was then closed in 1999.[5] From 1997-1999 the company endorsed McDonald's Young Entertainers, a talent show for young New Zealanders.[6]
Products
New Zealand has its unique local menu which includes items such as the "Kiwi Big Breakfast" which is a New Zealand equivalent of the traditional full breakfast.[7] In May 2013, plans were announced to re-introduce Georgie Pie products.[8]
References
- ^ McDonald’s New Zealand
- ^ Hepözden, p. 65
- ^ Hepözden, p. 50
- ^ Hepözden, pp. 112–5
- ^ Georgie Pie revival hopes kept alive
- ^ 'Big Dane': big heart - and dreams
- ^ http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/search/doc_view.php?d1=magz/text/ind/1996/May/ind1062.html Big M moves fast on market research - The Independent - 10 May 1996 : Page 25 MARKETING By BARBARA FOUNTAIN
- ^ Georgie Pie is back - for some
Further reading
- Hepözden, Rosemary (2011). O'Flaherty, Brian (ed.). Golden Arches under Southern Skies: Celebrating 35 years of McDonald's in New Zealand. in co-op with McDonald's Restaurants (NZ) Ltd. Auckland: Renaissance Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9864521-1-6.