American actor Mark Wahlberg’s family restaurant chain, Wahlburgers, is set to open by the Auckland waterfront at the end of this year.
The restaurant will take over the space Euro Bar and Coley & Punch previously inhabited on Auckland’s Princes Wharf. Wahlburgers expansion to New Zealand and Australia has been facilitated by the chain’s partnership with the Mustaca family, who are the owners of Australia’s biggest independent cinema chain, United Cinemas.
Founded in 2011 by Mark Wahlberg, alongside his brothers Chef Paul Wahlberg and Donnie Wahlberg, the beloved burger chain now has 49 locations across the United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia.
Wahlburgers’ menu is praised for its beef burgers and American classics like mac and cheese and tater tots. The restaurant is also famous for its cocktails, or otherwise known as “Wahlcoctions”, and its alcoholic milkshakes. All ingredients used in the Auckland Wahlburgers will be locally sourced.
Sam Muscata, Chief executive of United Cinemas NZ and Wahlburgers New Zealand, stated that Wahlburgers will also open in Queenstown’s Upper Village next year. Another Wahlburgers location is planned for Tauranga’s Bayfair Shopping Centre in 2023.
