Despite a steady winter drizzle, hundreds of hungry fans lined up in downtown Auckland to get a taste of the famous US fast-food chain, In-N-Out Burger.
More than 100 eager customers began gathering outside the pop-up location at Wynyard Pavilion as early as 6 a.m. on Wednesday. By the time the doors opened at 9 a.m., the line had grown even longer, with about 50 people already waiting. One customer, who asked to remain anonymous, told RNZ they skipped work just to try the popular burgers.
This was not In-N-Out’s first visit to New Zealand. The first person in line said they had missed out during the 2020 Auckland pop-up, while hundreds also showed up when the chain briefly set up in Wellington in 2023.
The restaurant shared on social media that supplies were limited and burgers were available on a first-come, first-served basis. An In-N-Out manager at the event confirmed there were 500 burgers to sell.
From 9 a.m., customers could place their orders and enjoy a sit-down dining experience. Each customer was limited to one burger, which was served with potato chips instead of fries and accompanied by a Coke or Diet Coke.
The first three people in line received tokens redeemable for a free burger at any In-N-Out location in the United States. Staff wore vintage diner uniforms, adding to the retro atmosphere of the pop-up.
Sophie Gallagher, a diner who waited two and a half hours for her meal, said the experience lived up to the hype. “The onions and the sauce are so good, and the ingredients are so fresh,” she said.
Lewis Hernandez, In-N-Out’s special foreign events manager, said the chain shipped signature buns, cheese, sauce, and pickles from the US but used New Zealand beef and produce for the event.
Hernandez added that while Auckland is currently too distant for permanent expansion, these pop-ups help the company gauge interest in the New Zealand market. “We still have a lot of ground to cover in the United States,” he said. “There’s no immediate timeframe for entering New Zealand, but this special event will help us make future decisions.”
In-N-Out is known for its simple menu of just 15 items, yet it continues to attract devoted fans worldwide.
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