In-N-Out Burger bites into New Zealand market

A man enjoying In-N-Out Burger's wares in Los Angeles. Photo / Janie Smith

American burger chain In-N-Out Burger is operating a pop-up store in Auckland to test whether New Zealand has potential as a market for permanent outlets.

But fast food fans had to be quick. The temporary outlet, located at Ponsonby Central on Ponsonby Rd, was set up for one day only and sold out of food around 2.15. It was due to have shut its doors at 3pm.

Soiree Events event manager Holly Bidwell said three In-N-Out burger staff had flown in from California to offer a "basic menu" at the pop-up store.

"They're only selling a limited number of burgers and they're only here today," Bidwell said. "They're starting to get really busy."

She said In-N-Out had operated similar pop-up stores in 26 other countries in order to "test marketing".

There was potential "in the very long-term, perhaps" for In-N-Out Burger to establish restaurants in New Zealand, Bidwell said.

In-N-Out Burger opened its first store in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948.

It operates around 290 stores in five US states.

Earlier this year Bloomberg reported that In-N-Out Burger's president, Lynsi Torres - the granddaughter of the chain's founders - was America's youngest billionaire. At that time she was 30.