How Applegreen’s Bold Move with Ireland’s First Taco Bell in Meath Could Shake Up the Fast Food Market—And What Investors Need to Know Now

So, here’s the kicker: Ireland just got its first-ever Taco Bell, but this isn’t your run-of-the-mill fast food opening. Nope — it’s part of a slick €15 million motorway service area by Applegreen right off the M3 in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. Imagine cruising down the motorway, and instead of the usual pit stop options, you’re greeted with bright, modern seating, over 100 shiny new jobs, and a smorgasbord of food spots from M&S Food to Burger King, plus a Braeburn Coffee Café to fuel your hustle. The question is, can Taco Bell et al. redefine roadside hospitality in Ireland and spark a fresh wave of investment? Given Applegreen’s push—a massive €1bn strategy across Ireland, the UK, and the US—this might just be the kind of bold move that sets new standards across the board. Curious to see how this plays out? You’re not alone. LEARN MORE

Ireland’s first Taco Bell has opened as part of Applegreen‘s new €15m motorway service area along the M3 in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.

Applegreen will create more than 100 new jobs at the Dunshaughlin facility, which also includes an M&S Food shop-in-shop outlet, a Braeburn Coffee Café, a Burger King restaurant, and Crafted, the company’s new deli offering.

The motorway service area also has an Applegreen convenience store, a children’s play area, and a service station forecourt.

“We’re delighted to bring Taco Bell to the Irish market, and to open our newest site in Ireland,” said Seamus Stapleton, managing director of Applegreen’s Republic of Ireland business.

“Our Dunshaughlin site sets the standard for roadside hospitality in Ireland, with comfortable bright modern seating areas for customers, and a range of high-quality food options.”

Eager customers queued outside the Taco Bell for the official opening at 10am and received branded merchandise such as tote bags and bucket hats.

Applegreen plans to open further Taco Bell outlets in the near future as part of an agreement made with the Mexican-inspired fast food chain earlier this year.

The Dunshaughlin motorway service area is part of Applegreen’s planned €1bn investment in Ireland, the UK and the Us over the next five years, which will also see the Irish firm expand its Braeburn Café business as well as its partnership with M&S Food.

The facility is Applegreen’s largest single investment project in Ireland this year, and will be open 24/7. The food outlets will open daily from 6am to 11pm, but opening times will vary from outlet to outlet.

Applegreen now has more than 430 locations and employs about 16,000 people worldwide, with annual turnover of €4bn.

Photo: Aaron Duggan, Director of Operations & Food Applegreen, Nayana Melton, Taco Bell, Vaida Dekaminaviciute, Taco Bell, Ian Cranna, General Manager Taco Bell Europe, officially open Ireland’s first Taco Bell, at Applegreen Dunshaughlin. (Pic: Supplied)