McDonald’s, which owns the rights to the Georgie Pie brand, says it may bring back the iconic chain.
McDonald’s managing director Mark Hawthorne has revealed the company has been looking into finding out how the Kiwi pies could be brought back to the fast food market.
Mr Hawthorne says the pies would have to sell for at least $2.90 to remain viable for McDonald’s. Georgie Pie’s original menu had $1, $2, $3 and $4 items.
Georgie Pie was originally owned by Progressive Enterprises – who own the Woolworths, Countdown and Foodtown supermarket chains – and the first restaurant opened in Auckland in 1977.
In 1994 the franchise began to expand nationwide and aimed to have 114 franchises established by 1998.
But in 1996 as it became clear Progressive Enterprise’s stance against domestic and international expansion was impacting the business’ profitiability and sustainability, the Georgie Pie brand was sold to McDonald’s, its main competitor in the fast food stakes.
McDonald’s quickly turned 17 restaurants into its own brand, shut down 15 others – Palmerston North’s sole Georgie Pie is now a MasterTrade store – and killed the brand.
3 News
source: newshub archive
