Burger King ditches kids toys

Photo / Christine Cornege.

Burger King says it will stop selling toys with its kids meals and will cease advertising to children on television.

The move will make Burger King the first burger chain in New Zealand to drop toys from its kids menu, chief executive John Hunter said.

"We no longer feel it is relevant to include and advertise a plastic toy as part of our kids meal options," he said.

"We decided some time ago to re-evaluate how we present our kids meals, and as part of our ongoing commitment to the Advertising

Standards Authority Children's Code for Advertising Food, the decision was made to drop toys altogether."

The chain will stop selling toys at all 82 of its outlets nationwide.

Hunter said the move was Burger King's second major initiative to help customers make healthier choices. Last year, it became the first major burger chain in New Zealand to display the energy content of menu items on menu boards.

Burger King said its paper crowns would remain as "a general giveaway for all customers".