Hundreds line up for a taste of In-N-Out burger in Auckland
The winter drizzle in downtown Auckland couldn't keep hungry fast-food fans from wrapping their chops around burgers by the beloved US chain.
More than 100 burger lovers queued in downtown Auckland for US fast food chain In-N-Out Burger's one-day-only pop-up joint.
People had been waiting outside the pop-up at Wynyard Pavilion since 6am on Wednesday to try the famous double-double, animal style, and bunless protein style burgers.
About 50 people were there before the store opened at 9am. One, who wanted to remain anonymous, told RNZ they skipped work to get their burger fix.
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It's not the first time In-N-Out has come to New Zealand.
The first person in the queue on Wednesday said they just missed out when hundreds lined for burgers last time In-N-Out was in Auckland in 2020. Hundreds gathered when In-N-Out popped up in Wellington in 2023.
The Californian burger chain was holding a one-day pop-up at Wynyard Pavilion.
Nick Monro
On social media the restaurant said it had limited quantities available, and it was first come first served. An In-N-Out manager confirmed to RNZ at the pop-up they had 500 burgers to sell.
From 9am, people were able to start ordering at the counter and were seated for the sit-down dining experience.
There were about 500 burgers available and it was first in first served.
Nick Monro
Customers were limited to one burger each, which came with potato chips instead of fries, and a Coke or Diet Coke.
The first three people in line received a token redeemable for one free burger in the US.
Workers handing out the meals wore vintage diner uniforms.
Diner, Sophie Gallagher, thought her burger lived up to the hype.
"That two-and-a-half-hour wait was so worth it. The onions and the sauce are so good, and the ingredients are so fresh."
Sophie Gallagher enjoys a burger at the In-N-Out pop-up in downtown Auckland, June, 2025.
Nick Monro
In-N-Out special foreign events manager, Lewis Hernandez said they shipped their signature buns, cheese, sauce, and pickles from the US, but they were using New Zealand beef and produce for the event.
He said there was always a good turn-out for their pop-ups here, but there was "no immediate timeframe" for the California burger chain to enter the New Zealand market.
"While Auckland is a little too far for us right now, and we still have a lot
of ground to cover in the United States, this special event will help
us make future decisions," they posted on social media.
In-N-Out has only 15 items on their menu.
Nick Monro
