Cornwall Services, which is located near Bodwin at the A30 in Cornwall, is home to a Shell filing station and a range of food and retail outlets including McDonald’s, Greggs, Taco Bell, Costa, and Mountain Warehouse.

The Cornwall service area opened in 2014 and employs about 200 people in a mixture of full-time and part-time roles.

“We are delighted to add what is a very popular service area to our existing Welcome Break motorway network in the UK,” said Welcome Break Chief Executive John Diviney.

“We look forward to working with the brands that are on site and will continue to offer road users to opportunity to rest, refuel and continue on their journey as they travel in and out of Cornwall.”

Welcome Break operates 61 service areas and 31 hotels in the UK, employing more than 6,000 people and serving more than 85 million customers every year. It is currently embarking on a major capital expenditure programme across its UK network.

“We plan to invest about £400 million (€463 million) in our service area business over the next five years through building new facilities and upgrading our existing locations,” Mr Diviney said.

“We’re a long-term investor in the British economy and we see significant potential to add further to our existing network and also to upgrade our existing portfolio on a regular basis,” he added. “We have a strong pipeline of new motorway and A road sites across Britain, and we are working to progress those.”

Last January, Welcome Break opened a new £55 million state-of-the-art new motorway service area just off the M1 at Rotherham in January. In July, it added a new £12 million services area on a A46/A406 at Hickling, south of Nottingham. The two developments created a total of 250 new jobs.

Welcome Break which can trace its roots back to 1959 and the beginning of motorway services in Britain, is a leading operator of motorway and roadside service areas in the UK.

It has partnerships with leading food and beverage brands such as Burger King, Chopstix, Greggs, Krispy Kreme, KFC, Pizza Express, Pret, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, The Good Breakfast and the Phat Pasty Company. Its retail partners include Londis, Waitrose, and WH Smith.

Welcome Break is majority owned by Applegreen, which also operates motorway service areas and forecourts in Ireland and the United States.

Applegreen operates about 435 locations in Ireland, the UK and the US and is currently investing €1 billion to expand its business. Applegreen had annual sales of €3.8 billion in 2024 and employs about 16,900 people.

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• Partnership Commits to Raise At Least €1 Million Over Three Years
• 2025 saw a 23% increase in referrals for Jigsaw’s Services

Applegreen has appointed Jigsaw, the national charity for youth mental health as its official charity partner for the next three years (2026–2028), reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting communities across Ireland.

Applegreen aims to raise at least €1 million in funds for Jigsaw over the next three years and will also work to highlight Jigsaw’s vital work across its store network in Ireland.

In 2025, Jigsaw had the highest ever number of referrals to its services around Ireland with over 11,000 young people referred to for support, an increase of 23% on the previous year, which reflects the youth mental health crisis that exists in Ireland today.

Through the new partnership, Applegreen will support Jigsaw’s work in providing free early intervention mental health services for children and young people aged 12–25 years, helping them cope with challenges such as anxiety, depression, loneliness and isolation.

Huge amounts of customers visit Applegreen stores across Ireland every week and a key fundraising element is the “You Buy We Give” initiative, where every time an instore purchase is made, Applegreen donates 1c to its charitable fund on the customer’s behalf. To launch the partnership, Applegreen is doubling this to 2c cent per instore transaction for the month of February.

The company aims to raise at least €1 million for Jigsaw through not only this transaction donation mechanism, but also multiple sponsored events and customers donations over the three years. Applegreen will also support with a heavyweight awareness campaign as well as organising other fundraising events and activities throughout the partnership.

The Applegreen Charitable Fund has supported national charities and community initiatives for more than 15 years, raising almost €8 million since 2009. This long standing commitment to giving back reflects Applegreen’s belief in strengthening the communities where its colleagues and customers live and work. Most recently, it raised almost €2.3 million for Barretstown from 2022 to 2025, more than doubling the original target.

Seamus Stapleton, Applegreen Ireland Managing Director said: “Our colleagues made it clear that youth mental health matters deeply to them. Jigsaw’s mission, national reach and commitment to accessible, early support closely align with Applegreen’s focus on community wellbeing. Partnering with Jigsaw allows us to support young people across Ireland in a meaningful and impactful way in local communities. Also, we are delighted that our colleagues working in our sites across Ireland, over 50% of whom are under 25 years of age, may gain access to the range of supports that Jigsaw provides.”

Youth mental health has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges facing families and communities across Ireland. There was a 23% increase in demand for Jigsaw’s services in 2025 which reflects the youth mental health crisis that currently exists. During a nationwide review of potential charity partners, colleagues across Applegreen’s stores and head office strongly expressed a desire to support young people’s mental health, recognising the impact these challenges can have within families, communities and everyday customer interactions.

Dr. Joseph Duffy, Jigsaw CEO said: “Jigsaw is delighted to partner with Applegreen, as it brings together a shared belief that communities thrive when we look out for one another. This partnership will help us reach more children and young people across Ireland at a time when demand for mental health supports continues to surge. When our young people struggle, our families struggle; and by working together with Applegreen colleagues, suppliers and customers, we can ensure that more families have access to the vital help they need, when it matters most. This partnership is rooted in a shared belief that real change happens when organisations come together with passion and purpose. Everyone at Jigsaw cannot wait to get started.”

Applegreen is one of Ireland’s leading retail hospitality brands, operating almost 200 locations and employing more than 3,000 people nationwide. Applegreen also has a significant business overseas, with a total network that comprises 750 branded food offerings, 435 sites and 16,900 employees.

Through the Applegreen Charitable Fund, the company has supported national and local charities for more than 15 years, raising almost €8 million for Irish charities since 2009. This long-standing commitment to giving back reflects Applegreen’s belief in strengthening the communities where its colleagues and customers live and work.

The partnership with Jigsaw marks the next chapter in Applegreen’s charitable journey, with both organisations united by a shared goal: supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people and building stronger, more resilient communities across Ireland.

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Applegreen opened a new Taco Bell restaurant at Ballincollig in Cork onTuesday December 9.

Ballincollig is the third Irish location for Taco Bell, following openings in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath in September, and in Lusk, Co Dublin in November.

The menu in Ballincollig will feature Taco Bell favourites such as crispy chicken burritos, beef burritos, the Crunchwrap Supreme, quesadillas, and seasoned fries. 

The arrival of Taco Bell is part of a major refurbishment of Applegreen’s Ballincollig location, as a new M&S Food shop-in-shop outlet and a new Crafted Kitchen & Deli operation are also opening tomorrow. 

“We’re really excited to be bringing Taco Bell to Ballicollig, and to County Cork,” said Seamus Stapleton, Managing Director of Applegreen’s Republic of Ireland business. 

“Applegreen’s first two Irish Taco Bell restaurants have been hugely popular with customers, and we are delighted to be further expanding our partnership with this new outlet in Ballincollig.”

The significant refurbishment of the Ballincollig store is part of Applegreen’s investment of more than €50 million in the Irish market this year. “We are continually investing to upgrade existing locations and to add new sites to our business in Ireland,” Mr Stapleton said. 

“By partnering with leading brands such as Taco Bell and Marks & Spencer, as well as enhancing our own brand through our new Crafted Kitchen & Deli, we are offering an even better experience for customers that use our Ballincollig store.”

Applegreen plans to add further Taco Bell outlets to its Irish portfolio next year as part of its partnership with the US-based company.

Applegreen operates 35 M&S Food shop-in-shop outlets across its Irish network and has plans to grow this number to more than 60 outlets in the medium term.

Applegreen customers at Ballincollig will now have access to more than 400 M&S products available in-store, including fresh flowers, convenient and tasty lunch and dinner options, sandwiches, and fresh fruit and salads. M&S Food favourites including Colin the Caterpillar cakes, Percy Pig sweets, and freshly baked M&S cookies will also be available.

The Ballincollig store will also feature a new Click & Collect service for M&S Clothing and selected Home product ranges, providing customers with the convenience of ordering quality clothing, home and beauty essentials online at www.marksandspencer.com/ie  and picking up their purchases for free instore.

Applegreen is one of Ireland’s leading retail hospitality brands. It opened its first service station in Ballyfermot in Dublin in 1992 and now operates almost 200 locations in the Irish market. 

Applegreen also has a very significant business overseas, with operations in Britain and the United States, and a total of more than 435 locations and more than 750 branded food offers across its global network. 

Applegreen is currently engaged in a €1 billion expansion plan and invested almost €300 million into the business this year. In Ireland, Applegreen is investing both in new locations – such as the €15 million new motorway service area in Dunshaughlin – and in upgrades to its existing sites. 

It plans to further grow its partnerships with M&S Food, and with Taco Bell, and to continue expand its Braeburn Coffee brand – which is now available in more than 100 locations nationwide and at 10 Braeburn Cafés – and its new Crafted Kitchen & Deli offer.

Applegreen currently employs about 16,900 people across the Group and has further plans for growth in all of its major markets. It had a turnover of €3.8 billion last year and its outlets serve about 180 million customers per year.

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Part of Applegreen’s €50m plus investment in Ireland this year

Applegreen will open two new Taco Bell restaurants at Lusk Northbound on the M1 in Dublin and at Ballincollig in Cork before the end of this year, creating 60 new jobs.

Applegreen is embarking on a major refurbishment of both locations and will also add new M&S Food shop-in-shop outlets and new Crafted Kitchen & Deli operations at each site. A new Braeburn café will also be opening at the site in Lusk.

The upgrades, which are part of Applegreen’s €50 million plus investment plan in the Irish market for this year, will bring additional choice for consumers at both locations.

“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,” said Seamus Stapleton, Managing Director of Applegreen’s Republic of Ireland business.

“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.”

Applegreen opened Ireland’s first Taco Bell restaurant at Dunshaughlin in Co Meath in mid-September and has plans to add further outlets across its Irish portfolio as part of a partnership with the US-based company.

Applegreen is also continuing to expand its highly successful partnership with M&S Food. With these two new upgrades, Applegreen customers at both Lusk North and Ballincollig will now have access to more than 400 M&S products available in-store, including fresh flowers, convenient and tasty lunch and dinner options, sandwiches, and fresh fruit and salads. M&S Food favourites including Colin the Caterpillar cakes, Percy Pig sweets and freshly baked M&S cookies will also be available at both locations.

Both Applegreen outlets will also feature a new Click & Collect service for M&S Clothing and selected Home product ranges, providing customers with the convenience of ordering quality clothing, home and beauty essentials online at www.marksandspencer.com/ie  and picking up their purchases for free instore.

With these new stores, Applegreen will now have 35 M&S Food shop-in-shop outlets and has plans to grow this number to more than 60 outlets in the medium term.

“Applegreen’s growing partnership with M&S supports our leading customer proposition in the Irish market and we are excited to continue investing in this first to market offer,” Mr Stapleton said.

Applegreen is also investing it is own branded offers at both Lusk North and Ballincollig. The new Crafted Kitchen & Deli will feature a range of new products and also existing customer favourites, such as chicken fillet rolls and breakfast rolls.

The new Braeburn Café at Lusk North will be the tenth standalone Braeburn Café within the Applegreen network, as the company continues to expand the footprint of its premium quality coffee offer.

The significant enhancements at Lusk North and Ballincollig 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.

Applegreen is one of Ireland’s leading retail hospitality brands. It opened its first service station in Ballyfermot in Dublin in 1992 and now operates almost 200 locations in the Irish market.

In Ireland, Applegreen is investing both in new locations and in upgrades to existing sites. It plans to further grow its partnerships with M&S Food, and with Taco Bell, and to continue expand its Braeburn Coffee brand – which is now available in more than 100 locations nationwide and at 10 Braeburn Cafés – and its new Crafted Kitchen & Deli offer.

Applegreen also has a very significant business overseas, with operations in Britain and the United States, and a total of more than 430 locations and more than 700 branded food offers across its global network.  Applegreen currently employs about 16,000 people across its business and has further plans for growth in all of its major markets. It had a turnover of almost €4 billion in its most recent annual accounts and its outlets serve about 180 million customers annually.

The company’s expansion plans are focused on acquiring and developing new sites in the markets in which it already operates, as well as upgrading and rebranding its existing locations.

In the US, Applegreen has 181 sites, and more than 300 branded food outlets. It recently started work on a new $70 million project to build four new highway service plazas in Colorado.

In the UK, Applegreen’s Welcome Break business operates 60 sites, including 36 motorway service areas, and 31 hotels. Applegreen plans to invest £400 million in its UK business, which employs more than 6,000 people, over the next five years.

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

Aaron Duggan, Director of Operations & Food Applegreen, Nayana Melton, Taco Bell, Vaida Dekaminaviciute, Taco Bell, Ian Cranna, General Manager Taco Bell Europe, at the official opening of Ireland’s first Taco Bell, at Applegreen in Dunshaughlin in September

Applegreen 13: Taco Bell at Applegreen in Dunshaughlin

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Applegreen has decided to terminate its $750 million agreement with the MassDOT and Global Partners, a fuel distributor, to redevelop and operate travel plazas across the US state of Massachusetts.

Applegreen has officially terminated its $750 million agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to redevelop and operate 18 highway service plazas. The decision was made after three months of negotiations that failed to reach a final agreement on terms.

The company cited ‘commercial realities’ and ‘costly continued litigation threats’ from Global Partners as the reasons for the withdrawal.

Applegreen expressed regret for not being able to bring its expertise to the Commonwealth and acknowledged the financial risks presented by the deal.

The future of the Massachusetts travels plazas remains uncertain, with the state likely seeking new bids for the project.

The Irish Times reported that the Dublin-based group, which is backed by US private equity giant Blackstone, had planned to invest more than $750m in the network.

Fuel supplier Global Partners, which had been seen as the favourite to be selected by the Massachusetts Department of Transport (MassDOT), has been challenging the decision in court since Applegreen was selected in June.

“After three months of good faith negotiations, Applegreen and MassDOT have not reached agreement on definitive terms for the redevelopment of 18 motorway service areas in Massachusetts,” Applegreen said in a statement.

“The open issues have significant implications for the commercial viability of the concession award. These commercial realities have been coupled with costly and continued litigation threats from an opposing bidder that have jeopardised the project’s timeline and financing.”

Applegreen entered US market in 2014 when it bought two sites in Long Island.

In 2020, the group was part of a consortium that signed a 33-year lease to refurbish and operate 27 motorway plazas on New York Thruway, a system of toll roads within the state of New York. It does not have the fuel sale element of that deal.

Applegreen runs more than 100 US motorway service areas, where it operates restaurant and cafe brands such as Burger King, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Panera Bread and Panda Express.

The company was founded by Mr Etchingham in 1992 with one station in Ballyfermot, west Dublin. It now has almost 200 locations in the Irish market. The company typically invests more than €30 million a year in the Irish market on store openings, upgrades and improvement.

Applegreen was taken private from the stock market in March 2021 by Blackstone in a €718 million deal that saw Mr Etchingham and long-standing executive Joe Barrett retain a combined 42.5 per cent stake in the group.

Applegreen sold its British filling station business to rival EG On The Move earlier this year for an undisclosed sum. That business had 98 sites. The company said it would use the proceeds from the transaction to invest in its business in Ireland, the UK and the US.

The deal did not affect Applegreen’s Welcome Break motorway service business in the UK, which also has a network of 31 hotels, the Irish Times reported.

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