Lines at the KFC drive-through, Quay St, Auckland, were long with hundreds opting for fried chicken over the traditional Christmas lunch.

Hundreds of Aucklanders opted for a bucket of the colonel's special recipe rather than the traditional Christmas lunch.

Lines at the KFC on Quay st, Auckland reached the pavement outside. The drive-through was equally busy.

The branch, open between 10am-7.30pm on Christmas Day saw a steady stream of tourists and locals.

DEBRIN FOXCROFT Lines at KFC, Quay St, Auckland, were out the door, with hundreds opting for fried chicken over the traditional Christmas lunch.

For Aucklander Randy Sjafrie, the choice to have KFC for Christmas lunch was a simple one.

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"Its the only thing open. There are good deals and my family is all overseas," said Sjafrie as he waited in line.

"Its a good option when you have no family around."

Sjafrie's sentiments were shared by other patrons.

Priska Wilar was drawn by the convenience of KFC.

"No where else is open and its seems like a good deal," she said.

Fran Mud doesn't celebrate Christmas, so she opted for KFC with her mum after spending the morning at the beach.

"We don't celebrate Christmas so we just treat it as another day off. It was my mum's idea to come to KFC. We heard that this place is always open and decided to get some chicken."

Current legislation means that there are three and a half days that shops must be closed.

Restaurants like KFC are exempt from these laws, though many opt to close rather than pay staff to work on those days.