Burger King is on the verge of building a fast-food restaurant in Masterton that will employ up to 40 people.
Company spokeswoman Rachael Allison said yesterday the global hamburger chain had "identified a site" on the corner of Lincoln Rd and Chapel St, where until two weeks ago the Leecroft Chambers
building had stood.
She said the firm had begun advertising online for managers to run its first Wairarapa operation, which will employ between 30 and 40 people.
"We have a team of people working very hard to bring Burger King to Masterton and we will be looking locally to fill those positions," she said.
Ms Allison said building consent applications had been lodged to construct a restaurant and drive-through operation on the Masterton Trust Lands Trust-owned site and the company was awaiting approval.
Sue Southey, district planner for Masterton District Council, said Burger King had lodged the application to build last week and a decision was expected early next week.
The site will put the Burger King restaurant directly across the road from its arguably greatest competitor, McDonald's.
The Times-Age first reported the possibility in January of Burger K opening in Masterton.