Taco Bell announce opening of first Irish location later this year

The new Taco Bell restaurant will be located at an Applegreen service station

This summer, Applegreen is set to inject a taste of Mexico into Ireland by launching the country's very first Taco Bell restaurant and is eyeing the opening of additional outlets at its locations over the next five years.

This comes after the service station chain recently opened the first branches of US chicken chain Chick-Fil-A outside of North America in their Lisburn and Templepatrick locations.

Seamus Stapleton, Managing Director of Applegreen for the Republic of Ireland expressed his enthusiasm, declaring: "We are really excited to announce this partnership to launch the iconic Taco Bell brand in Ireland.

"This partnership underscores our commitment to bringing world-class roadside hospitality to our customers, offering them greater choice and quality while they travel. We are constantly investing in our locations, and I'm sure Irish consumers will be very excited at the arrival of Taco Bell."

The California-based Taco Bell boasts a global footprint with more than 8,700 restaurants worldwide, known for injecting Mexican-inspired flavours into fast food favourites. The fare ranges from the signature Crunchy Taco to Burritos, Quesadillas, Nachos and, not forgetting, the emblematic Crunchwrap Supreme™.

Taco Bell Europe's New Market Lead, Matthew Johnson, shared: "We are thrilled to bring Taco Bell's innovative and flavourful menu to Ireland. This expansion is a testament to our commitment to growing our brand globally and delivering exceptional dining experiences to new markets," reports the Irish Mirror.

Johnson also added: "We believe that our unique offering will resonate with consumers in Ireland, providing a new and exciting dining option that celebrates bold flavours and a fun, vibrant atmosphere."

The introduction of Taco Bell to Ireland is a part of Applegreen's ambitious €1 billion expansion scheme over the next five years. The company has set its sights on expanding its footprint in Ireland, the UK and the United States, through the redevelopment of existing sites and the addition of new locations across these three markets.

Applegreen, one of Ireland's top retail brands, launched its first service station in Ballyfermot, Dublin in 1992. It now boasts nearly 200 locations within the Irish market.

Each year, Applegreen invests upwards of €30 million into the Irish market for new store openings, upgrades, and enhancements.

In addition to its domestic operations, Applegreen also has a substantial presence overseas, with ventures in Britain and the United States. The company operates more than 430 locations globally, offering over 700 branded food options across its international network.

Currently employing around 16,000 individuals, Applegreen has further growth plans in all its key markets. Last year, the company reported a turnover of nearly €4 billion and serves approximately 180 million customers annually.

The company's expansion strategy centres on acquiring and developing new sites in its existing markets, as well as upgrading and rebranding its current locations.

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