International fast food chain McDonald’s has been rumoured to be coming to Wānaka’s Three Parks since the development began taking shape more than five years ago, but once again the rumours have been quashed by developer Allan Dippie and the chain itself.

Rumours that McDonald’s is on its way here have been swirling in Wānaka and on social media for the past few weeks, and some people have claimed they know exactly where the restaurant will be sited.

But last week Allan Dippie told the Wānaka App: “Currently there is no plan to establish a McDonald’s or in fact any other American franchised fast-food operator that sells burgers, fried chicken or pizzas in Three Parks.”

The Wānaka App also approached McDonald’s NZ, and spokesperson Simon Kenny told us there had been “no change in our position from previous inquiries”.

“[We’re] always assessing potential sites around the country, but [there’s] nothing to confirm at this stage,” he said.

The Three Parks developer said he is “not chasing fast food restaurants”. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Allan Dippie said as Three Parks grows there will be more cafes established, and his company Willowridge Developments was currently working with some locally based businesses, such as The Little Brewer in the new Mt Outdoors store and the Peak Coffee caravan.

“At the other end of the scale I imagine in time we may get approached by the fast-food restaurants seeking drive-through locations, but we are certainly not chasing them as we have more important priorities.

“We realise half the town would be very pleased if they came to town and the other half wouldn’t be… The thing to remember however is that neither half is forcing the other half to frequent such establishments.”

Allan said the important thing is “locating such businesses in the right place”.

“It would be good to avoid the situation in say Taupo where they tend to dominate the lakefront, this makes that town look somewhat cheap and tacky in my opinion.

“Of course, with fast food restaurants the ‘law of retail gravitation’ applies; they seem to like being located together or near each other.”

In 2016 a group of Wānaka residents launched a group called Ban International Fast Food Franchises group (BiFFF Off), with the goal “to help preserve the unique character of Wānaka” by preventing international fast food giants from establishing their businesses here.

The group expressed its disappointment when American pizza restaurant chain Domino’s opened on Ardmore Street in 2017, but it has been silent since then.