Fast food eatery opens

Carl's Jr is officially open in Rotorua and the owners say more of the fast-food restaurants may be built in the city.

The eatery on Amohau St opened its doors to the public yesterday morning, with a formal blessing followed by the grand opening at 9am.

Restaurant Brands chief executive Russel Creedy said it was good to be up and running in Rotorua. The company might look to expand in the city in future.

"We are very happy to be in Rotorua and we were fortunate to find the right site to build on," he said.

"There is good traffic, it is next to a whole development behind us with various retailers and it is a good central location.

"In a couple of years we may look to expand in Rotorua."

Mr Creedy said there were 11 stores in New Zealand, and Rotorua was only the third restaurant outside of Auckland.

He said the new store had created about 45 jobs.

About 50 people attended the blessing and grand opening, including staff, overseas representatives and workers who had helped build the store.

Reverend Murray Pene gave the blessing.

Carl's Jr was granted resource consent in April to build the 80-seat, 275sq m drive-through restaurant with 26 car parks.

Vehicles can gain entry to the store on Amohau St and at the rear of the site adjacent to the carpark for Kurious Kiwi and Burger King.

Carl's Jr is an American fast-food restaurant chain which started in California about 70 years ago.

Mr Creedy said the next Carl's Jr would be built in Hastings closer to Christmas.

"We are aiming at about 50 to 60 stores nationwide," he said.

He said the store's premier burger at the moment was the Jim Beam Bourbon Burger.