The Lone Star Bar & Restaurant chain is believed to have the former Tahuna Reef premises in the Whangarei Town Basin in its sights for a Whangarei franchise.
Chief operating officer James O'Connell has confirmed Lone Star is looking at premises in Whangarei but could make no further comment because a franchise agreement was yet to be signed.
Tahuna Reef Bar & Restaurant went into liquidation last July. The building, owned by the Whangarei District Council, is double-storeyed with a well up the centre. It is believed Lone Star is not keen on the "well" and would close it off to create more floor space. A council spokesperson said the council could make no comment on future use of the building at the moment.
Liquidator Chris Horton said the assets of the former Tahuna Reef business had been sold and the building was back in the control of the Whangarei District Council. He understood "negotiations were under way with a party over the future of the premises." His firm was pleased someone was taking on the site.
