• Upgrade includes new food concepts and drive-thru Supermac’s
• Pictured – Pat McDonagh, MD, Supermac’s & Brian Donaldson, CEO, The Maxol Group (Credit: Jason Clarke)

 Maxol has completed a major redevelopment of its flagship M3 Mulhuddart Service Station.

The project, representing a €1million investment, has delivered a wide-ranging upgrade including a new Supermac’s drive-thru, as well as the introduction of Papa John’s Pizza and Zambrero, a leading global Mexican restaurant, strengthening the offering, which also includes Insomnia and Maxol Deli.

With almost 80 staff employed by Maxol’s Licensee, Donal and Liam Fitzpatrick (Springfield Retail Limited), two levels of seating and generous parking, Maxol M3 Mulhuddart is one of the busiest of the company’s 248 stores.

Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group, said, “Maxol M3 Mulhuddart is a best-in-class example of Maxol’s vision to create destinations that go far beyond fuel: Together with much loved brands and Maxol’s proprietary brands, this site delivers an exceptional food experience that feels more like a food hall than a service station. Convenience, quality and customer experience converge here to set a new benchmark for forecourt retailing in Ireland. This site represents our vision of modern food convenience, combining speed, variety and great taste under one roof.”

The branded food concepts are complemented by Maxol’s proprietary offers including ROSA Coffee, Maxol Deli, Maxol’s own-brand pre-pack sandwich and wrap range, as well as a wide range of branded grocery products.

The expanded food court environment has been designed to meet the needs of time-poor commuters, local families, delivery drivers and everyone in between, catering to every taste, time of day and type of customer. From freshly brewed Insomnia and bean to cup ROSA Coffee, to made-to-order Maxol breakfast rolls, Maxol Deli sandwiches and hot meals at lunchtime, and family favourites from Supermac’s or Zambrero, the site has become a true one-stop food destination.

Brian Donaldson said: “Whether it’s a ROSA Coffee on the morning commute, a made-to-order sandwich or hot meal at lunch, or an evening family meal on the go, M3 Mulhuddart now offers something for everyone. The high level of service provided by Donal and Liam Fitzpatrick along with their dedicated team is exceptional. We wish them every continuing success.”

The site maintains distinct service models, such as sit-in, takeaway, drive-thru, home delivery via JustEat, and premium coffee-to-go, and ensures fast, reliable service across all brands.

This redevelopment forms part of Maxol’s national investment programme, which this year includes the acquisition of four new sites in Galway and Dublin and the upgrade and redevelopment of seven existing sites.

Over the past decade, Maxol has invested more than €225m in expanding and modernising its network. With close to 50% of group income now coming from non-fuel sales, the company is firmly focused on diversifying beyond fuel to become one of Ireland’s leading convenience and food-service retailers.

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In a ruling, published Wednesday 5th June 2024, the court found that McDonald’s had not made genuine use of the trademark to sell ‘chicken sandwiches’ or ‘foods prepared from poultry products.’

The European court found that McDonald’s “has not proved genuine use within a continuous period of five years in the European Union in connection with certain goods and services.”

This, in effect, means that found that McDonald’s had not made genuine use of the trademark to sell “chicken sandwiches” or “foods prepared from poultry products” and that it had not “made genuine use of the Big Mac trademark when opening restaurants and drive-through outlets.”

While the European Union Intellectual Property Office subsequently partially upheld that application, it determined that McDonald’s could still use the trademark for chicken sandwiches and other poultry products, as well as in connection with McDonald’s outlets and drive-ins.

Supermac’s then challenged this finding in Europe’s highest court, leading to this Wednesday ruling.

“The evidence submitted by McDonald’s does not serve to prove that the contested mark has been used in connection with ‘services rendered or associated with operating restaurants and other establishments or facilities engaged in providing food and drink prepared for consumption and for drive-through facilities; preparation of carryout foods’,” found the European Court of Justice.

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