Fast-food outlet expansion sparks alarm

The rapid expansion of international fast-food businesses in some of Auckland's poorer areas has raised community concern.

Derek Battersby, chairman of the New Lynn-based Whau Local Board, is worried about Carl's Jr Restaurants opening in Avondale.

The chain, dubbed one of the world's worst for its menu, already has restaurants in Takanini and Glen Innes and Mr Battersby said this showed how it planned to target low-socio-economic areas.

Sue Kedgley, ex-Green MP and food campaigner, said it was a concern that global fast-food businesses were expanding so rapidly in New Zealand.

Wendy's is seeking 22 new outlets, Burger King is expanding fast, KFC has transformed 53 stores to make them more appealing to customers and now Carl's Jr is expanding.

That American-headquartered chain has a foot-long cheeseburger on its menu which has 850 calories and 20g of saturated fat, about twice as many calories as the controversial KFC Double Down described last year when it was sold in New Zealand as the super villain of fast food.

But All Black great Michael Jones, who has a stake in a franchise business for Carl's Jr here, has said healthy options were being offered.

Staff at the Carl's Jr Glen Innes restaurant said yesterday that the food was not fatty and that healthy and low-calorie, low-carbohydrate options were being offered.