Mexicali Fresh owner, Mariposa Restaurant Holdings (MRH) has bought Burger Wisconsin, New Zealand’s oldest gourmet burger franchise for an undisclosed sum.

Nathan Bonney, MRH GM, says the two companies are excited about the deal.

“There are strong synergies between Mexicali Fresh and Burger Wisconsin; both operate a successful franchise model and offer fresh, premium quality, hand-prepared food, and both are committed to building sustainable businesses that offer great opportunities for their franchisees and great products for their growing list of customers,” said Bonney.

He said MRH has built a franchise support and management team, which can be rolled out to other brands.

“Our tried and tested franchise system offers a number of benefits, especially when it comes to driving economies of scale in purchasing, management, administration, and marketing. There is a real opportunity here to drive and support growth for both brands.

“Burger Wisconsin has stayed true to its original mission statement of bringing gourmet burgers from the high street to the suburbs. Grounded in all the same beliefs that Mexicali Fresh adheres to, it’s not only Burger Wisconsin’s business that attracted us, but the similar, positive culture that exists within the business.”

Burger Wisconsin launched in NZ in 1989.