Quick-food giants reveal how a lot New Zealand meat they actually use

Two new McDonald’s eating places have been accredited for Auckland this yr, one other is into consideration in Wānaka, a second KFC in Hastings is searching for consent, and in October, a Burger King and Starbucks drive-through growth acquired the go-ahead within the small Waikato city of Tīrau.

To perceive quick meals’s relationship with New Zealand’s main sector and throughout the wider meals financial system, the Herald spoke to the massive 4 – McDonald’s, Restaurant Brands, Domino’s Pizza and Tahua Group – to attempt to crunch the information.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s releases an “annual shopping list” detailing the quantity of New Zealand produce it makes use of and the place it’s sourced, and head of impression and communications Simon Kenny stated “it’s always our starting point to buy New Zealand-made when we can”.

In its 2024 snapshot, the fast-food large reported spending $235 million on native produce for the home market and exporting $287m of it to its eating places worldwide, bringing its complete store to $522m.

McDonald’s used 6,491 tonnes of beef and 506 tonnes of Angus beef over the yr for its regionally offered burgers. Anzco Foods, within the Taranaki city of Waitara, is charged with turning this meat into a whole lot of 1000’s of burger patties every day.

It’s a seemingly insignificant sum compared with the 29,580 tonnes McDonald’s despatched abroad in 2024.

New Zealand’s low-cost lean beef trimmings are a key element in US mince. McDonald’s actively participates on this commerce, with about one-tenth of the nation’s annual beef exports going to its abroad shops.

McDonald’s used 4715 tonnes of rooster in 2024, primarily sourced from Waikato farms, whereas exporting 124 tonnes. Kenny expects these numbers would have elevated in 2025 with new rooster merchandise on the menu.

“In many cases, the relationships with our suppliers go back many decades. We are fortunate that we can source high-quality produce locally,” he stated.

“Food quality and sourcing is one of McDonald’s’ four global impact pillars – areas of focus where we think we can make the most positive difference.

“We approach responsible sourcing holistically, understanding that our work can impact the livelihoods of people, the health of the planet and the wellbeing of animals.”

Kenny referenced McDonald’s’ contributions to the meat worth chain, its unprecedented transfer to free-range eggs, information sharing and awarding greatest observe suppliers as tangible examples of this ethos.

Restaurant Brands

Restaurant Brands – the grasp franchise operator for KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr – instructed the Herald its coverage is “to purchase locally where possible, thereby supporting our community, farmers and manufacturers”.

The firm didn’t disclose how a lot New Zealand meat it purchased or used, however stated 100% of rooster is sourced from native suppliers throughout its 4 manufacturers, in contrast with 42% of beef.

“As RBD is a publicly listed company, the structure of our contracts requires us to adhere to commercial confidentiality obligations,” a spokesperson stated.

Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr supply their rooster from Ingham’s, with KFC additionally partnered with Tegel to satisfy demand.

According to the model’s web site,76% of KFC’s whole produce suppliers are from New Zealand, and Taco Bell International managing director Ankush Tuli instructed Stuff when launching the model that it was sourcing 70% of substances regionally.

BusinessDesk additionally reported in 2014 that Carl’s Jr had switched to sourcing native beef patties two years into its launch to enhance margins.

Domino’s Pizza

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises declined to reveal how a lot New Zealand meat it makes use of for its pizzas, citing it as towards firm coverage.

However, the corporate has beforehand confirmed the place most cuts are sourced from.

Domino’s publicly said as lately as 2020 that it takes delight in shopping for its rooster from Tegel, championing its product on Facebook as “100% local and raised in New Zealand, with no added hormones or GMO’s”.

It additionally grew to become the primary fast-food chain on either side of the Tasman to signal the Better Chicken Commitment, pledging in 2021 to assist dramatically enhance the situations by which chickens are grown and slaughtered for meat.

Regarding processed meats, the pizza empire stated its sausages, bacon, ham and different deli meats had been sourced from Hellers.

Domino’s has not shared info on the place its beef is sourced from, however has used California-based Impossible Foods as its plant-based beef provider since 2022.

Tahua Group

Tahua Group, the New Zealand-owned retail and hospitality firm answerable for Burger King, Popeyes and Starbucks, additionally declined to remark for this story.

A consultant stated Tahua didsn’t have any public disclosures as a carefully held firm, and cited its suppliers and quantity figures as commercially delicate.

Burger King’s web site states it sources “succulent Kiwi-raised chicken” for its menu, however doesn’t specify whether or not all of the “100% beef” is regionally procured.

It makes use of “the best ingredients from local and imported sources”, with lettuce, buns and tomato sauce named as regionally sourced.

Popeyes, a relative newcomer to the market, additionally states all its rooster comes from New Zealand suppliers.

“We try to source our products locally, where possible,” reads its web site.

Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking information, specialising in way of life, leisure and journey. He joined the Herald in 2023.

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