Cobb & Co eyes Porirua

Porirua got New Zealand’s first McDonald’s and now it’s line to get the Wellington region’s first revamped Cobb & Co.

Cobb & Co’s chief operating officer Nathan Bonney said Porirua was the first site identified in the region, as part of an ambitious programme to open 30 restaurants nationwide.

‘‘We’ll go through a process and it may be opened later this year,’’ he said.

‘‘It depends on finding the right franchisee but we know Cobb & Co is a strong brand and people love the environment to enjoy a meal.’’

Bonney said it could take $750,000 to set up.

There was a ‘‘blueprint’’ to open up to 30 restaurants over the next few years - a mix of franchise and company owned.

The news comes after former mayor Nick Leggett set up a Facebook page, Bring Cobb & Co back to Porirua, to get people talking and find support for the venture.

The old McDonald’s site on the corner of Cobham Court would be ideal for the family restaurant and bring people out to the city centre, Leggett said. up to