Second Gisborne KFC opens next week, 20 staff employed

Final preparations are under way for the opening of Kaiti’s new KFC next Thursday. Photo / Luke Fisher

Gisborne’s second KFC will officially open on Thursday next week.

A spokesperson from Restaurant Brands told the Gisborne Herald the new store at the Kaiti Hub shopping centre has created 20 more jobs for Tairāwhiti.

“Our newly employed team are busy with final training and putting on the finishing touches to the restaurant.”

Restaurant Brands operates the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr outlets in New Zealand.

The new store is situated less than 3km down the road from an existing KFC, to give “fans on the east side of Gisborne a closer, more convenient spot to get their KFC fix”, according to earlier comments from a Restaurant Brands spokesperson.

Kaiti-based Jonathan Pere, organiser of Online Foodbank NZ/HQ Gisborne, told the Gisborne Herald the new jobs were important for the local community, especially for families who are struggling.

He believes the new store will have positive flow-on effects, given the tight-knit nature of Kaiti.

Many people do not realise the low barrier to entry and career progression opportunities available in fast-food jobs, he said.

“You’re going to see somebody who’s your cousin or your nephew or auntie working in there.

“To me, that’s going to inspire somebody to do better.”

Pere isn’t worried that people may stop visiting the other eateries at Kaiti Hub because, as one bakery owner told him, “You can’t go and get a cream bun from KFC, can you?”

Gisborne’s second Pizza Hut recently opened next to the Kaiti KFC.