About 20 Rotorua fast food workers took to the streets outside KFC on Amohau St as part of nationwide strike action against their employer Restaurant Brands.
Half of Restaurant Brands New Zealand's 4000-strong workforce walked off the job on Saturday after negotiations for a new collective agreement broke down.
About 2000 Unite Union members picketed selected KFC stores in Rotorua, Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin at lunch time on Saturday in an effort to twist the company's arm over disputed pay and conditions.
Restaurant Brands operates New Zealand's KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl's Jr and Starbucks Coffee franchises and its chief executive Russel Creedy said the company was disappointed staff went on strike.
"Of the major employers in the fast food sector, Restaurant Brands already leads the sector for fixed hours of work and security of pay," the company said.