A burger isn’t just a burger – especially if you go for one at Munchi’s in the Cromwell Mall. This new takeaway shop has been treating Cromwellians to delicious fast food since the middle of the year.
Owner Arvinder Singh Pannu was working in the food and beverage industry in Auckland before moving to Cromwell in October 2017. Besides himself, Arvinder has three other people in his team – Gurpal Singh Gill (Store Manager), Vikas Singh, and Smita Naharki.
“I love this area because it is the hub of the Central Otago,” says Arvinder. “As one of the fastest growing towns in New Zealand, Cromwell is an ideal place for a tourist spot.”
Arvinder says that the locals have been very friendly and have given helpful feedback that has helped him and his team grow the business.
“Our business goal is simple; we want to be the best burger place for our people. In the coming years, we would like to expand our offering to also include local craft beers and wines from the region.”
Although Munchi’s also serves pizzas, fish and chips, and other hot food, burgers are their speciality. The team is constantly playing around with combinations to fit in with the seasons, and to cater to their customers’ tastes and requests.
“Seeing people enjoying the food that we serve makes me very happy and proud.”
Besides his love for food, Arvinder is also a big sports fan who enjoys basketball, hockey and cricket. He also likes gardening from time to time.
When talking about the future of Cromwell, Arvinder points out the need for more jobs and accommodation in the area. He also says that some attention needs to be paid to the water supply.
“With the rapid growth Cromwell is experiencing, introducing a drawcard such as a large department store or perhaps an airport will help local small businesses grow and increase the number of tourists in the area. This will help our economy grow and become stronger.”