Hook, line, and sinker: KFC’s fish & chip shop a hit

AUCKLAND, Today: Thousands of Kiwis journeyed from places as distant as Hamilton to snag KFC’s special Kentucky Fish & Chips, raising $ 40,000 for Surf Life Saving New Zealand.

The two-day KF&C pop-up, crafted by KFC, Stanley St, and Special PR, took place at Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club. It featured fresh Tarakihifish in the Colonel’s secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, served with KFC’s famous seasoned chips.

Fantastic weather and the lure of this limited-time dish had fans setting up early with picnic gear at 9 AM to be first in line.

KFC’s Senior Brand Manager, Holly Knowles, mentioned having to activate a backup plan due to the overwhelming turnout. “The line was at least 90 minutes long before we even opened our doors at midday on Friday.

“The line was at least 90 minutes long before we even opened our doors at midday on Friday.” – Holly Knowles

“We even had people drive to Auckland’s North Shore from Hamilton, so we immediately knew we needed to upgrade our existing plan,” said Knowles. “We had to ensure it was a safe event for everyone – so we doubled security, sourced crowd control barriers and upped our food order to meet the demand.

“Despite our best efforts, we still sold out late on Saturday afternoon. We’d like to apologise to anyone disappointed – but don’t worry, we’ll cook up another surprise again soon.”

While KFC won’t regularly offer fish and chips, this campaign was a special fundraiser for Surf Life Saving New Zealand. This vital organisation logged over 240,000 hours of beach service last summer, and the funds will help with training, public education, and operational costs.

Holly Knowles added, “Our marketing always focuses on creating experiences that not only lean into the community but align with Kiwi culture. The reaction is a testament to the truth of our brand – it’s ‘the power of KFC’ – and we’re so lucky to be guardians of that.”