If KFC'S Double Down was a "heart attack in a wrapper", then the notoriously unhealthy Carl's Jr burgers that could soon sweep the nation are a "triple bypass in a bun", nutritionists warn.

Restaurant Brands, which operates KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks in New Zealand, confirmed yesterday it had added the American burger chain to its portfolio and had big plans to expand it nationwide.

In New Zealand, Carl's Jr. sell several burgers that are close to or over 1000 calories.

In the United States, the restaurant has previously sold a burger with 1522 calories - almost three times the calorie count of a Double Down, and amounting to three-quarters of an adult's recommended daily intake. The restaurant also sparked protests two years ago when it tested a foot-long cheeseburger.

Forsgren NZ, owned by Barry Forsgren and brother-in-law Michael Jones, the former All Black, already operates two Carl's Jr outlets in Auckland. Restaurant Brands plans to double that and add another store in Palmerston North by January.

Chief executive Russel Creedy said Carl's Jr would also open in Wellington and Christchurch “as soon as possible”.

Wellington dietician Sarah Elliott said the idea of a single burger with so many calories was laughable. "It's ridiculous really. It's beyond anything that should be conceptualised . . . a triple bypass in a bun is a good way of putting it."

More than 60 per cent of Kiwis were already obese and heart disease was "rife" in this country, and the presence of Carl's Jr would not help that, she said.

Restaurant Brands yesterday announced its second-quarter sales were up 2.3 per cent across its KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks brands to $96.1 million for the 16 weeks to September 10.

TASTY TROUBLE

Carl's Jr. Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger 1000cals, 54g of fat, 1840mg of sodium

KFC Original Recipe Double Down 540cals, 32g fat, 1380mg sodium

McDonald's Big Mac 491cals, 26g fat, 1080mg sodium

Burger King Whopper 663cals, 37g fat, 1017mg sodium

Pizza Hut Meatlovers (per slice) 202cals, 7g fat, 537mg sodium

Subway Chicken & Bacon Ranch 456cals, 21.3g fat, 1200mg sodium.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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