Cars were lining up at a McDonald's in Christchurch this morning. Photo: NZ Herald
People are getting their long-awaited takeaway fix in parts of New Zealand that woke up to alert level 3 this morning.
Everywhere south of Auckland is now under alert level 3, which means businesses can open for contactless click-and-collect - and that includes fast-food orders and takeaway coffees.
Newstalk ZB's Courtney Winter, who paid a visit to McDonald's in Linwood in Christchurch, said more than a dozen cars had already come through the drive-through since about 6.30am.
People were keen to get a taste of what they've been missing out on for the past two weeks.
Newstalk ZB reporter Jack Crossland went on an early "Maccas run" in Wellington.
"The road cones have been removed and already the cars are lining up. More than 10 cars are sitting in the drive-through, waiting for their morning run of McDonald's," he said about 6.30am.
Domino's NZ general manager Cameron Toomey said the pizza-delivery company was "definitely expecting a busy day ahead" - both for deliveries and people coming into stores in level-3 areas.
"We have zero-contact delivery available, and we have direct contact pickup available as well," he told Newstalk ZB's Kate Hawkesby.
"But we'll be making sure we've got procedures set up at the stores to ensure everybody can safely distance as well.
"We've been here before - we've taken a lot of learnings from last year and, and the various other movements in levels before, and from around the world as well. We just make sure we've got the right amount of people rostered on and we've got our procedures in place that allow us to meet the demand."
And KFC is appealing to customers to be patient when the stampede starts for takeaways, Newstalk ZB reports.
Contactless and drive-thru sales are operating again at most KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl's Junior and Taco Bell stores south of Auckland under level 3.
A Restaurant Brands spokeswoman says customers are being asked to treat staff kindly while they wait for their orders. She says staff have stepped up cleaning and sanitising and will be wearing masks and gloves at all times.
KFC's menu is being reduced so social distancing rules can be maintained in kitchens.
EARLIER!
08/18/2021
Tauranga man selling 'yesterday's KFC' on Facebook marketplace amid COVID-19 alert level 4 lockdown
With only essential businesses operating during the New Zealand's snap COVID-19 alert level 4 lockdown, one entrepreneur is attempting to cash in on Kiwis' love of takeaways.As UberEats and fast food outlets are closed for the time being, Tauranga man Aaron Kiddle listed a bucket of "yesterday's KFC" on Facebook marketplace, offering the leftovers for the hefty cost of "$100 a wing".
"Will consider swaps for a [Nissan] GTR or PS5 / Series x" he added. "Serious inquiries [only] - don't low ball me. I know what I have."
Kiddle listed the KFC on Facebook, and was shocked at the response. Photo credit: Facebook.
The middle of a COVID-19 outbreak is obviously not a time anyone should be trading half-eaten food. But it appears chicken-loving Kiwis are so desperate for a fix they're willing to do anything.
Kiddle says he's had masses of interest: People have offered money, toilet paper, and in one case, a Honda Integra from a man willing to drive from Auckland.
A snapshot into the influx of messages Kiddle received. Photo credit: Supplied.
The post quickly racked up over 300 likes, with questions including whether he would sell chips individually, or include coleslaw.
Part of the credit must go to Kiddle's flatmate Ollie, but also perhaps not - Kiddle said Ollie ate the rest of the potato and gravy.
Questioned whether he was actually going to sell the bucket to one bidder, Kiddle told Newshub he "better not".
"I don't want Auntie Cindy tracking me down," he added.
If you were tempted by Kiddle's listing and can't wait until level 3 for your KFC fix, we may have a safer, more legal solution.
Last year a UK man claimed to have perfectly recreated KFC at home after 18 months of trying, sharing the recipe with the world on social media.
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