McDonald’s Secures Commercial Partnership with One New Zealand Warriors as Official Restaurant Partner

Global quick-service restaurant corporation McDonald’s has entered into a three-year commercial partnership with National Rugby League franchise the One New Zealand Warriors, securing exclusive rights as the club’s official restaurant partner.

Under the multi-year deal, the iconic McDonald’s golden arches branding will feature on the left back position of the playing shorts across all six of the Warriors’ representative teams, including their NRL, NRLW, New South Wales Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup, SG Ball Cup, and Harold Matthews Cup squads.

One New Zealand Warriors CEO, Cameron George, welcomed the addition of the international food brand to the club’s corporate portfolio.

“We’re so excited to welcome a company of the calibre of McDonald’s to our family of partners.”

“McDonald’s is a brand that connects people, and their commitment to supporting sport from the grassroots level to the professional stage aligns perfectly with our club values,” George said. 

McDonald’s New Zealand director of marketing, Luke Rive, highlighted the opportunity to leverage the brand’s national franchise network to drive community engagement alongside the club.

“We’re stoked to be joining the One New Zealand Warriors’ whānau.”

“We’ve been long-time admirers of the club and jumped at the opportunity to get involved.

“Our franchisees around the country are looking forward to celebrating our connection with the Wahs in the communities in which they operate.

“We’ve got some great plans underway and are confident the fans will be lovin’ it.

“We’re so grateful to Wendy’s for the way they have supported us for almost 20 years.

“We thank them for the passion and energy they brought to their partnership with us and wish them all the best for the future,” George said. 

The commercial agreement coincides with the 50th anniversary of McDonald’s establishing its operational footprint in New Zealand, having opened its first local restaurant in Porirua in 1976. As the country’s largest quick-service restaurant chain, McDonald’s operates nearly 180 outlets across New Zealand via 53 local franchisees, employing over 10,000 staff members locally and serving an estimated 1.5 million customers weekly. The deal also marks a major transition in the club’s corporate partner roster, concluding an 18-year commercial association with outgoing restaurant partner Wendy’s, which had supported the Auckland-based franchise since 2008.

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