The Otago Daily Times staked out KFC in Dunedin North this morning after reports of people camping out overnight in a bid to be the first to try the fast food company's controversial new "Double Down" burger.
But, there was no-one in sight when the doors opened an hour early, at 9.30am.
"We did have a guy and a girl camping out here at 11.30pm last night, because they wanted to be the first to try them. But, it got a bit cold for them and they went home after a couple of hours," KFC Dunedin North manager Wendy Ellis said.
The burger has two chicken fillets, instead of buns, packed with bacon and cheese and has been condemned by the Heart Foundation as "equivalent to eating eight teaspoons of butter".
The first "Double Down" burgers sold in Dunedin were claimed by John McGlashan pupils Richard Scott (17) and Mitchell Scammell (16).
"It's really good, although there's a lot of fat in it. It's really greasy and pretty filling. I'd definitely have another one, though," Richard said.
The burgers were priced at $7.90, or $10.90 for a combo.
Heart Foundation Dunedin health promotion co-ordinator Jo Arthur described the burger as "grotesque" and national nutrition adviser Delvina Gorton said KFC had "gone wrong".
The 34g fat content of one burger was equivalent to eating eight teaspoons of butter, three Moro bars or 23 squares of dairy milk chocolate, Ms Gorton said.
"In doubling the meat, cheese and bacon content it has intentionally created a saturated fat blow out. New Zealand is facing a health crisis due to unhealthy eating habits. What we need more of is tasty, appealing, healthier options."
After heavy criticism from health advocates, KFC sent a terse email to its stores on Monday warning employees not to discuss the new burger.
KFC general manager Brent Kitto admitted the burger was "not for everyone".
"Contrary to all the attention and speculation, though, the `Double Down' is actually lower in calories and fat than a number of other burgers already on the market."
He did not say what those burgers were.
