Applegreen has reached an agreement with Popeyes UK and Ireland to introduce the fried chicken chain across multiple roadside locations in Ireland.

The forecourt operator plans to invest about €6m ($6.9m) over four years to develop the new outlets, a move expected to create around 450 jobs.

The first Popeyes under the partnership will open in the coming weeks in Portlaoise.

Applegreen Republic of Ireland managing director Seamus Stapleton said: “We are delighted to add Popeyes to our growing portfolio of high-quality brands in the Irish market.

“At Applegreen, we’re committed to raising the bar for roadside hospitality and offering great food and world‑class service to people on the move.

“Popeyes is a fantastic addition to the Applegreen offer, and we can’t wait to open our first Popeyes outlet at Midway later this summer.”

Popeyes UK and Ireland, the brand's master franchisee in both markets, opened its first Irish restaurant in Blanchardstown on 6 June, with a second due shortly at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.

Popeyes UK and Ireland chief development officer Tom Byng said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Applegreen as we roll out new restaurants across the Republic of Ireland."

Applegreen already operates 24 Popeyes restaurants at travel plazas in the US, in states such as Delaware, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, following a partnership that began in 2021.