Applegreen has officially announced a new licensing partnership with the American quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant, Chick-Fil-A, to introduce the brand to Northern Ireland.
This move comes on the heels of Chick-Fil-A's broader strategy to expand into the UK market in 2025, starting with five new restaurants.
The partnership will see the opening of Northern Ireland's first Chick-Fil-A at Applegreen’s Lisburn South motorway service area on the M1 later this month.
A second location will follow at Applegreen Templepatrick on the M2 in March. These openings are expected to create 70 new jobs, increasing Applegreen's employment figures in the region to 351.
Applegreen has a track record with Chick-Fil-A, currently operating 14 of their restaurants at various motorway service areas across the United States. Chick-Fil-A, renowned for its quality chicken sandwiches, is the third-largest QSR chain by sales volume in the US, with over 3,000 outlets in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Caroline Cherington, Regional Operations Director for Applegreen Northern Ireland, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating:
“We are delighted to be bringing Chick-Fil-A to Northern Ireland with this new partnership agreement. Having successfully operated Chick-Fil-A restaurants in the United States for several years, we know how much customers love their high-quality food, and we’re excited to introduce this brand to a new audience.”
The expansion into Northern Ireland coincides with substantial upgrades at Applegreen's service areas, including new M&S Food stores at both Lisburn South and Templepatrick.
Cherington emphasised the company’s mission, saying:
“Our focus is on delighting our customers on the road with exceptional hospitality and the brands they love, with the aim of delivering the best experience to customers on the move.”
Applegreen currently operates five locations in Northern Ireland, with the two largest sites located just outside Lisburn on either side of the M1, alongside sites in Templepatrick, Ballymena, and Hillsborough.
This strategic partnership not only marks Chick-Fil-A's entry into the Northern Ireland market but also reinforces Applegreen’s commitment to enhancing their service offerings and customer experience across their network.