Applegreen to expand foodservice infrastructure with US$1B investment

USA/UK – Convenience roadside retailer Applegreen has revealed plans to invest US$1 billion in its foodservice and travel center infrastructure in the US, UK and Ireland over the next five years.

The move is part of the company’s aggressive growth strategy.

The Dublin-based company, which operates nearly 600 locations across the three regions, has already invested over US$1 billion in the U.S. since its entry in the country in 2014.

Currently, Applegreen manages around 165 sites across 12 states along the East Coast and Midwest.

Recent U.S. investments have included remodeling travel centers on the New York State Thruway, New Jersey Turnpike, and Garden State Parkway, while also expanding its EV charging infrastructure in New York.

These initiatives will continue, but the company’s leadership emphasizes food as the core of its U.S. business. 

Applegreen operates restaurants such as Burger King, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Starbucks, Dunkin, Panera Bread, and Panda Express, with traditional fuel accounting for less than 20% of its gross profit.

As part of its latest investment, Applegreen plans to develop larger, food-focused travel plazas primarily on the East Coast.

This growth will be driven by organic builds and acquisitions. However, details about what these new locations will offer beyond current travel plazas remain undisclosed. 

“We are fortunate in that we have a unique position in the U.S. market, as we are a highly experienced operator of food businesses, convenience stores, EV charging infrastructure, and traditional gas stations,” said Joe Barrett, co-founder and Group Chief Executive of Applegreen. 

The announcement follows a successful year for Applegreen, which reported a 9% increase in gross profits, surpassing US$1 billion in 2023, and a nearly 7% rise in EBITDA. The company attributes this performance to the expansion and enhancement of its sites and services. 

“As we continue to bring new sites on board, upgrade existing locations, and expand our EV charging network, we anticipate significant growth across our operations in Ireland, the U.K., and the U.S.,” Barrett added. 

This strategic investment underscores Applegreen’s commitment to strengthening its position in the travel and foodservice sectors while supporting the transition to sustainable energy solutions. 

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