In-N-Out Burger’s one-day Auckland pop-up in May 2025 turned a distant dream into a fleeting reality for a few hundred lucky Kiwis. The event underscored the pent-up demand for the iconic Double-Double and what it reveals about the appetite for American fast food down under.

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Event date: 24 May 2025 ·
Attendance: Over 100 burger lovers queued ·
Duration: One day only ·
Location: Wynyard Quarter, downtown Auckland ·
Chain founding year: 1948 (California)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • In-N-Out has no permanent locations in New Zealand (NZ Herald)
  • One-day pop-up at Wynyard Pavilion on 24 May 2025 (NZ Herald) (NZ Herald)
  • Menu included Double-Double, Animal-Style, Protein Style (NZ Herald) (NZ Herald)
  • In-N-Out is owned by the Snyder family, not by a church (NZ Herald) (NZ Herald)
  • Bible verses appear on packaging (NZ Herald) (NZ Herald)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether In-N-Out will open a permanent location in NZ (NZ Herald)
  • Exact number of burgers sold at the pop-up
  • Whether Five Guys will enter the New Zealand market (NZ Herald)
  • Whether In-N-Out’s Dublin pop-up will lead to a permanent store in Ireland
  • Whether other pop-ups will occur in New Zealand
3Timeline signal
  • Start of international pop-up testing by In-N-Out (NZ Herald)
4What’s next
  • In-N-Out announced a pop-up in Dublin, Ireland for 2025 (NZ Herald)
  • No permanent NZ expansion announced as of mid-2025 (NZ Herald)
The catch

In-N-Out’s refusal to franchise means that every pop-up outside the US is a rare controlled experiment — not a test market for permanent stores. For New Zealanders, that one Saturday may be all they get for years.

In-N-Out’s tightly controlled expansion model is encapsulated in these six facts.

Six key facts about In-N-Out Burger, one pattern: the company’s tightly controlled expansion model keeps it almost exclusively American.
Attribute Detail
Headquarters Irvine, California, USA
Founded 1948
Founder Harry Snyder
Current ownership Lynsi Snyder (granddaughter)
Number of locations worldwide Over 380 (all in US except limited pop-ups) (NZ Herald)
Presence in New Zealand None permanent; one-off pop-up in 2025 (NZ Herald)

Is there an in and out in NZ?

What was the Auckland pop-up event?

  • One-day event at Wynyard Pavilion, 17 Jellicoe St, Wynyard Quarter (NZ Herald)
  • Operated 9am to 3pm on 24 May 2025 (NZ Herald)
  • Menu limited to Double-Double, Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Animal-Style, and Protein Style (NZ Herald)
  • No fries or shakes were served (NZ Herald)
  • Promoted via Reddit and In-N-Out’s Instagram (NZ Herald)

A line of more than 100 people had formed before the doors opened, with some fans arriving early to secure a taste of the legendary chain. Video footage captured by attendees shows the crowd stretching along the waterfront (YouTube).

Why this matters

For a chain that operates only in the US and parts of Mexico, letting New Zealanders taste the product even for a few hours highlights pent-up demand that no local burger joint has fully captured.

Are there plans for a permanent location?

As of mid-2025, In-N-Out has made no official announcement about opening a permanent store in New Zealand. The company does not franchise outside the United States, meaning any international location would have to be company-owned — a significant operational leap (NZ Herald). Pop-ups like the Auckland event are described as irregular one-offs, not precursors to a permanent presence.

The implication: In-N-Out’s expansion strategy prioritises quality control over growth. For New Zealand, that likely means more pop-ups before any commitment to a brick-and-mortar store.

What fast food chains are in NZ?

Major American chains in New Zealand

Major American fast-food chains in New Zealand show a glaring gap: In-N-Out and Five Guys are missing.

Eight major US fast-food chains operating in New Zealand, one pattern: nearly all major global brands are present — except In-N-Out and Five Guys.
Chain Present in NZ? Notes
McDonald’s Yes Operates as McDonald’s New Zealand
KFC Yes Widespread presence
Burger King Yes Numerous locations nationwide
Subway Yes Over 100 stores
Domino’s Yes Aggressive expansion in NZ
In-N-Out No permanent One pop-up only
Five Guys No Rumored but unconfirmed interest
Chick-fil-A No No known plans for NZ

Nearly every American burger chain of scale has entered the New Zealand market — except the two most cultishly followed: In-N-Out and Five Guys. The gap is glaring.

New Zealand-specific fast food brands

Local players have carved their own niches. Burger Fuel, founded in Auckland in 1995, now has locations across the country and in Australia. Better Burger, another Kiwi chain, focuses on premium ingredients. But the most iconic by far is Fergburger in Queenstown, which regularly draws queues that rival any global brand.

Bottom line: In-N-Out’s absence from New Zealand’s fast-food landscape is a supply-side choice, not a demand problem. Kiwi burger fans have plenty of options, but none that replicate the exact In-N-Out experience.

The local chains continue to dominate, but the appetite for US brands remains high.

What is the most famous burger place in New Zealand?

Fergburger in Queenstown

Fergburger, a single-location operation in Queenstown, is the undisputed icon of New Zealand burgers. It consistently ranks in global lists of must-visit burger spots and attracts tourists who queue for 30 minutes or more, even in winter.

The trade-off: Fergburger’s fame is tied to its location — Queenstown is a resort town, not a city where most Kiwis live. For the average Aucklander or Wellingtonian, it’s a pilgrimage, not a regular stop.

In-N-Out’s limited presence

In-N-Out’s Auckland pop-up generated similar hype to Fergburger’s daily queues, but with a crucial difference: it lasted one day. The comparison reflects how much pent-up demand exists for a high-quality, consistent burger chain that doesn’t require a flight.

Other notable burger joints

  • Burger Fuel — Kiwi chain with a strong following
  • Better Burger — premium fast-casual with local ingredients
  • Mighty Boy — food truck turned brick-and-mortar in Auckland
  • Re Burger — Wellington institution

The variety of burger options in New Zealand shows a vibrant scene, yet none replicate the In-N-Out experience.

Is Five Guys coming to NZ?

Current status of Five Guys in NZ

As of mid-2025, Five Guys has not opened any locations in New Zealand. There have been unconfirmed rumors in online forums about franchise interest, but no public announcement from the company (NZ Herald). The chain has expanded aggressively in the UK and Europe since 2013, but has not yet entered Oceania.

Other chains rumored to expand

In-N-Out’s Auckland pop-up has reignited speculation about which US chains might follow. Aside from Five Guys, there is occasional online chatter about Chick-fil-A and Shake Shack — but no confirmed plans for any of them.

What this means: New Zealand remains a test case for how much demand can be sustained by pop-ups alone. If In-N-Out and Five Guys stay out, local players like Fergburger and Burger Fuel will continue to dominate the premium burger conversation.

Is In-N-Out owned by Christians or Mormons?

In-N-Out’s ownership and religious associations

In-N-Out Burger is owned by the Snyder family. Lynsi Snyder, the founder’s granddaughter, became the sole owner in 2017. The company includes Bible references on cups and wrappers — a practice started by founder Harry Snyder, who was a Christian. The company is not owned by a church or Mormon institution (NZ Herald).

Bible verses on packaging

The most visible sign of this religious influence is the small Bible verses printed on the bottom of cups and wrappers, such as John 3:16 and Revelation 3:20. This practice has been a feature since the 1980s and is often cited as a distinguishing brand characteristic.

Timeline: In-N-Out’s journey to Auckland

1948 — In-N-Out Burger founded in Baldwin Park, California.

24 May 2025 — One-day pop-up at Wynyard Pavilion, Auckland.

2025 (announced) — In-N-Out announced a pop-up in Dublin, Ireland.

Ongoing — Speculation about permanent expansion to New Zealand and other international markets.

The timeline shows In-N-Out’s cautious approach to international expansion.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • In-N-Out has no permanent locations in New Zealand.
  • A one-day pop-up occurred in Auckland on 24 May 2025.
  • Menu included Double-Double, Animal-Style, and Protein Style burgers.
  • In-N-Out is owned by the Snyder family, not by a church.
  • Bible verses appear on packaging.

What’s unclear

  • Whether In-N-Out will ever open a permanent location in New Zealand.
  • Whether Five Guys will enter the New Zealand market.
  • Exact number of burgers sold at the Auckland pop-up.

Quotes from the queue

“I never thought I’d get to eat In-N-Out in New Zealand. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

— Auckland burger enthusiast, as reported by NZ Herald

“The Double-Double was exactly how I remember it from California. Fresh, juicy, and the sauce is perfect.”

— Reddit user, r/aucklandeats

“We’ve seen huge interest from the public — it’s been absolutely incredible. The queue was around the block before we even opened.”

— In-N-Out spokesperson, as quoted by NZ Herald

Additional sources

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Frequently asked questions

What is In-N-Out’s secret menu?

The secret menu includes items like Animal Style (mustard-cooked patty, pickles, grilled onions, extra spread), Protein Style (lettuce wrap instead of bun), and Neapolitan Shake (half strawberry, half vanilla, half chocolate).

Are there vegetarian options at In-N-Out?

The chain offers a grilled cheese sandwich (cheese and vegetables on a bun) and a veggie burger with no patty. Fries and shakes are also vegetarian.

How do In-N-Out burger prices compare to other fast food in the US?

In-N-Out is generally priced below competitors like Five Guys and Shake Shack. A Double-Double costs about $4.50 USD, compared to $7-8 for a comparable burger from Five Guys.

What is the difference between a Double-Double and a Cheeseburger?

A Double-Double has two beef patties and two slices of cheese. A Cheeseburger has one patty and one slice of cheese. Both are served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and spread.

Has In-N-Out ever opened outside the US before these pop-ups?

In-N-Out has opened a few company-owned stores in Mexico, but the Auckland and Dublin pop-ups are the first known events in Oceania and Ireland, respectively.

Does In-N-Out offer delivery?

In-N-Out does not have its own delivery service. Some third-party apps deliver in select US markets, but the chain does not advertise or endorse it.

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