Yaldhurst shop opening!

READ AND WIN $50 VOUCHER GIVEAWAY! PLUS CHECK THE READER PRIZE WINNER FROM LAST TIME! DETAILS AT THE END.

Welcome! On Thursday 21 August we opened another big shop – Yaldhurst, Christchurch.

Yaldhurst is a fast-growing area on the western edge of Christchurch, near the airport, and many locals turned out for the opening – check it out!

Director Costa commented:

Yaldhurst is one of the more unusual locations we’ve selected. In fact, had McDonald’s not been here, we never would have chosen it! Fortunately, over time the area has developed with extensive housing, a new petrol station and a thriving soccer academy across the road. All the ingredients are here.

In addition, the Christchurch roading network has encouraged a lot more traffic past here, so it is very busy during peak times. We expect to trade well from drive-home traffic.

As a company, Yaldhurst is a flagship shop in Christchurch. It’s our first drive thru but also the first shop purpose built to our needs. The large format means more space for staff, more storage, and for customers, more parking, a nicer environment, with better seating, lighting, and decorations. All of this creates a next-level experience.

Finally, it’s exciting that Hiromi chose to relocate back to Christchurch. He’s one of our most experienced partners, and it’s only the second time (after Nelson) that an existing partner has relocated to open a new shop.

We have high hopes for Yaldhurst, and the first few days exceeded expectations. So far, so good!

New partner Hiromi has a fascinating story. He was a senior shop manager in Christchurch before the 2011 earthquakes, when he moved to Auckland and then Hastings to open our first Hawkes Bay shop in 2013. His vast experience makes him the perfect leader of our first South Island drive thru!

Hiromi commented that

I would like to thank everyone who supported this store opening. 

We have a big kitchen where staff can work safely, and a nice dining area that we can hold up to 40 people comfortably. Big windows bring natural sunlight into the shop. Overall, the shop creates a very welcoming atmosphere.

The external lighting and signage make the whole building stand out at night.

After 14 years in head office and Hawkes Bay, I am now back in Christchurch! 

Me, my wife and two children are all happy to come back home!

Opening day was very busy, but went smoothly.

A special thank you to area manager Kazuyo for organising the opening support team. Most of the Canterbury region shop managers came to help, some for one day, some for a week!

Then we opened the drive through the following week.

We’ve had an amazing response from customers! Everyone was so happy to see the first sushi/ bento drive through on the mainland.

Yaldhurst is a milestone for St Pierres in many ways, but there’s plenty more to come this year. Watch this space everyone!

READ AND WIN! Congratulations to Bo Jiang from Blenheim Westwood shop, who won his choice of one $50 WOOLWORTHS VOUCHER or a DOUBLE PASS MOVIE VOUCHER at Hoyts or Event Cinemas for his answer last time.

It’s perfect timing again, as Blenheim Westwood only opened last week. Look forward to an article about the new shop soon!

This week we’re giving away the same prize.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
In the video, how long does Yoshi-san say he has known Hiromi-san?

Comment below with
1. Your name and shop
2. Your answer to the above question

Entries close at 12 noon on Wednesday 20 September 2025.