Meet Eddie Darney, a local Naki lad, he had a long 11-year history with the brand before becoming a proud owner and operator of BurgerFuel New Plymouth, 3 years ago.
At sixteen Eddie started working for the local store, which was run by family friend and local legend, the late Brooke Wolfe. Working hard throughout his school years, Darney then left to go overseas, studying to become a teacher. Upon his return, after settling back into life and teaching at the local school, the purple neon lights (and a persuasive Wolfe) lured him back to work for BurgerFuel. Darney then found himself working double jobs – teacher by day and burger flipper by night.
In 2017, the business was up for grabs and Brooke, who needed to hand over the reins due to ill health, knew Darney was the perfect man for the job. He was a mentor to Eddie and was confident that he was passionate, ambitious and would carry on the legacy he had worked so, so hard for. BurgerFuel HQ agreed and brought Eddie up to Auckland to go through 12 weeks of intensive ‘Burger Schooling’.
Once graduated, Eddie was thrust into the busiest time of the year for any BurgerFuel franchisee, Christmas. Eddie states that it was his greatest achievement, “To be able to keep my cool (to some extent) over that initial Christmas takeover period as a brand new business owner. I felt like Russell Crowe in, A Beautiful Mind, as I tried to understand my supply chain, which was largely interrupted by the public holidays. I had to utilise both the professional and personal support that was available to me at the time – it was madness.” According to Wolfe it was “a seamless handover, I walk out, and he walks in. The store just operates as it is".
Eddie knows the importance of being present, non-complacent and hands-on, in his store. He lives the brand and has a handle on both the big picture and the daily operations. As one of the younger franchisees in the BurgerFuel business, Darney has really found his feet and set an example.
BurgerFuel New Plymouth | 66 Eliot Street, New Plymouth | 06 769 9102 | Open 11am – 9pm
In loving memory of Brooke Wolfe
