McDonald’s Restaurants (New Zealand), the local arm of the world’s largest fast food chain, had a 5.8 per cent gain in sales in 2013, the year it relaunched the Georgie Pie brand after a decade-long hiatus.

Sales were $NZ216.6 million ($A200.99 million) in calendar 2013, up from $NZ204.7 million a year earlier, according to the local unit’s annual report.

Profit for the year barely budged at $NZ30.7m as the company opened new stores, spent more on raw materials and wages, and paid more tax.

McDonald’s has 163 restaurants in New Zealand, of which about 80 per cent are owned and operated by franchisees.

As well as sales from its own outlets, the company garners monthly service and franchise fees, a contribution to advertising and rental payments, all based on a percentage of gross sales, from franchisees.

“McDonald’s and our 53 New Zealand franchisees largely enjoyed a positive 2013, buoyed by the launch and rollout of Georgie Pie,” Patrick Wilson, McDonald’s New Zealand managing director, told BusinessDesk.

McDonald’s bought the Georgie Pie chain from Progressive Enterprises in 1996 before closing it in 1999. In the relaunch, it is rolling out sales of pies in its existing restaurants.

BusinessDesk