Move over Georgie Pie - Australian chain Pie Face has crossed the Tasman and its Kiwi master franchise holders have a bullish plan to establish 60 stores in this country over the next 10 years.
The first New Zealand Pie Face outlet, which offers both dine-in and takeaway, opened on central Auckland's Shortland St at the weekend and from Wednesday to Saturday will operate 24 hours a day to cater for both central city workers and the late-night party crowd.
New Zealanders are some of the world's most committed pie consumers, gobbling an average of 15 meat-filled pastry parcels each year, according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
That beats the Aussies, who consume - on average - 12 pies annually.
Wanaka-based Julian Field, who's secured the New Zealand master franchise for Pie Face with business partner Jared Palmer, said Kiwis' love affair with the pie was one of the main reasons for bringing the fast food concept, which was founded in Sydney in 2003 and has 80 Australian stores, to this country. "We're huge pie eaters over here," he said.