Chris Churchward, group chief executive, at the new Rotorua restaurant. Photo/Stephen Parker
Chris Churchward, group chief executive, at the new Rotorua restaurant. Photo/Stephen Parker
It's like a homecoming - and a big one at that.
The Cobb & Co restaurant opened in Rotorua on Tuesday night with more than 250 people flocking to be part of the occasion.
Cobb Group chief executive Chris Churchward said the response had been "just surreal", given signs hadyet to go up, no advertising had been done and only 50 people were invited to the opening.
"It was crazy but that's the power of the iconic brand," he said.
Mr Churchward, whose first Cobb & Co job was as a dish hand, said the Rotorua restaurant was seen as a flagship store and the first of the "new vision" for the brand. He plans to open another 20 stores by 2020, and a Taupo one next month.
The restaurant, in the old Kurious Kiwi building on Fenton St, includes seating for 240, a function room and bar, as well as a kids' play area with three PlayStations.
Mr Churchward said as part of a major sponsorship deal with the Bay of Plenty Steamers, players of the day from junior teams could dine with their rugby heroes at special evenings.
He said the motto for the store was "welcome back".
