McKenzies

allan:

Homestead Fried Chicken with their amazing roast potatoes. I asked the question in the comments section for the above Stuff article as to whether they were just Wellington and did they get bought out, or just went out of business. Most people seemed to think they were just Wellington region. Anyone remember them anywhere else? Apparently they wen into receivership in 1989. 

allan:

 

Homestead Fried Chicken with their amazing roast potatoes. I asked the question in the comments section for the above Stuff article as to whether they were just Wellington and did they get bought out, or just went out of business. Most people seemed to think they were just Wellington region. Anyone remember them anywhere else? Apparently they wen into receivership in 1989. 

 

Totally recall there was a Homestead in Palmerston North; same street as KFC, IIRC.

MikeAqua:

 

I can't remember the business name, but there was a franchise in malls that sold nature-oriented stuff.  Toys, games, curiosities etc. Briefly operated in the 1990s/2000s.

 

Nature's Discoveries are still around - one in Riccarton in Christchurch. Also have the domain name 'nature.co.nz' which is nice.

mdf: Eagle Boys Pizza. My first job as a squeaky voiced teen was delivering for them. The franchise was bought out here by Pizza Hut (in 2000 IIRC), but I believe still operates in Aus.

Eagle Boys were awesome. In my mind and taste buds Hells Pizza is the reincarnation of Eagle Boys.

Georgie Pie  

Motor Specialties, especially the Motogard products. They sponsored the NZ International Rally which I was involved with for a while. The chain was purchased my Repco and survives under that branding.

jonathan18:

 

allan:

 

Homestead Fried Chicken with their amazing roast potatoes. I asked the question in the comments section for the above Stuff article as to whether they were just Wellington and did they get bought out, or just went out of business. Most people seemed to think they were just Wellington region. Anyone remember them anywhere else? Apparently they wen into receivership in 1989. 

 

 

Totally recall there was a Homestead in Palmerston North; same street as KFC, IIRC.

 

They had 16 stores mainly in Wellington region and Auckland city.

I also remember stores with the same brand in Sydney so maybe they expanded overseas or licensed their product.

The 1987 stock market crash led to their owner, Equiticorp, collapsing forcing Homestead into receivership in February 1989. Apparently they were vulnerable because they did not have sufficient critical mass to keep up with McDonalds which had 25 stores at the time and more financial support.

I remember that their service and food quality was dropping - maybe they cut costs too much - so we weren’t surprised to see them go.

You can read all about their rise and demise in this 18 page article:

New Zealand Journal of History, 39, 1 (2005) ‘If there’s not one near you now, there soon will be’ AMERICAN FAST-FOOD CHAINS COME TO NEW ZEALAND

Edit: Homestead Chicken in Sydney had at least six stores with the same product and similar advertising in 1979. NZ stores existed in 1973 so may be earlier.

1979 Homestead Golden Chicken Australia advertisement video on Youtube

Cobb & Co North Shore 1981-83 was the best. The atmosphere, the staff, the service and THE FOOD all reasonably priced. Their fresh bread cob and sirloin steak OMG (Pavlov's Dog as I am typing).

Stayed one night in Levin this time last year and popped into Cobb & Co. What a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT in all areas.

FineWine:

Stayed one night in Levin this time last year and popped into Cobb & Co. What a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT in all areas.

FineWine:

 

Cobb & Co North Shore 1981-83 was the best. The atmosphere, the staff, the service and THE FOOD all reasonably priced. Their fresh bread cob and sirloin steak OMG (Pavlov's Dog as I am typing).

 

Stayed one night in Levin this time last year and popped into Cobb & Co. What a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT in all areas.

 

the one in Rotorua is still popular and the food is ok, but i think it is popular with families because of the delivery robots they use to deliver your order. The kids love them. 

used to be a chain store in the 90s called 'Card Crazy' which used to sell trading cards, used to be the in thing to collect basketball cards back then, still have all mine somewhere

mdf: Eagle Boys Pizza. My first job as a squeaky voiced teen was delivering for them. The franchise was bought out here by Pizza Hut (in 2000 IIRC), but I believe still operates in Aus.

IIRC we paid $20 for a pizza back in the 90's. That was a lot of money!