Ballincollig Applegreen Set for Major Upgrade with Taco Bell and M&S Food

Applegreen's Ballincollig service station is set to undergo a significant transformation before the end of the year, with the addition of a new Taco Bell restaurant, an M&S Food shop-in-shop, and an upgraded Crafted Kitchen & Deli. The development, part of a €50 million investment across Ireland, will create new employment opportunities for Cork residents.

The major refurbishment at the Ballincollig site will bring additional choice for local customers, with Applegreen partnering with global brands whilst enhancing its own food offerings. A similar upgrade is planned for Lusk Northbound on the M1 in Dublin, with both projects creating 60 new jobs between them.

Seamus Stapleton, Managing Director of Applegreen's Republic of Ireland business, said:

"We're delighted to transform our existing sites at Lusk Northbound on the M1 and at Ballincollig in Cork with these new brands and significant in-store enhancements. Our goal is to offer our customers passionate roadside hospitality by partnering with brands such as Taco Bell and Marks & Spencer, as well as enhancing our own brand offering with Braeburn Café, and Crafted. These enhancements are sure to delight our customers and provide an even better experience."

The Ballincollig Taco Bell will be one of the first in Ireland following the opening of the country's first outlet at Dunshaughlin in County Meath in mid-September. Applegreen has plans to add further Taco Bell restaurants across its Irish portfolio as part of its partnership with the US-based company.

The new M&S Food shop-in-shop at Ballincollig will stock more than 400 products, including fresh flowers, lunch and dinner options, sandwiches, fresh fruit and salads. Customer favourites such as Colin the Caterpillar cakes, Percy Pig sweets and freshly baked cookies will also be available. Cork shoppers will benefit from a new Click & Collect service for M&S Clothing and selected Home product ranges, allowing them to order online and collect purchases free of charge in-store.

With these additions, Applegreen will operate 35 M&S Food shop-in-shop outlets, with plans to grow this to more than 60 outlets in the medium term.

The upgraded Crafted Kitchen & Deli at Ballincollig will feature new products alongside existing favourites such as chicken fillet rolls and breakfast rolls, catering to local tastes whilst introducing fresh options.

The Ballincollig and Lusk North refurbishments are part of Applegreen's €1 billion plan to expand its business in Ireland, the UK and the United States over the next five years. The company, which opened its first service station in Ballyfermot in 1992, now operates almost 200 locations in the Irish market and employs about 16,000 people globally across more than 430 locations.

Applegreen is also planning a major €85 million investment to expand its EV charging networks in Ireland, the UK and the United States.