Applegreen announced plans to add 150 jobs in County Kildare as it readies a €15 million electric‑vehicle hub and motorway service area at Junction 9 on the M7, slated to open later this year.
Details of the new service area
The site, situated near the Naas Ball, will combine food outlets, retail space and EV charging facilities. Among the tenants are Popeyes, which will operate the Republic of Ireland’s first drive‑through for the brand, Taco Bell, and Applegreen’s own Crafted Kitchen & Deli. A convenience store, a forecourt for fuel, a truck stop for heavy‑goods vehicles and a car wash are also part of the layout.
Electric‑vehicle infrastructure will include eight Applegreen Fast Charge ultra‑fast chargers, delivering a total of 16 charging points. They are intended to support the growing number of EVs on Irish roads.
Investment context and job creation
The Naas development is the second major motorway service area funded in Ireland within a year, following a project at Junction 6 on the M3 in Dunshaughlin that opened in September. The corporation’s broader Irish investment programme targets several new sites and upgrades to existing locations through 2027.
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Recruitment for the 150 positions is already under way, according to the firm. Seamus Stapleton, managing director of Applegreen’s Republic of Ireland business, said the new site reflects ambition to improve the roadside experience for motorists. “We will be providing a high‑quality customer experience with bright, modern, welcoming facilities for customers offering top‑class brands that our customers love,” he stated.
Stapleton also highlighted confidence in long‑term growth prospects for the Irish market. “We are continuing to invest heavily in the Irish market, as we see significant long‑term growth opportunities for the Applegreen business,” he added.
Expansion of food brands includes the rollout of Popeyes and Taco Bell across the network, alongside the continued presence of M&S Food, now found at 43 locations. The group is also promoting its Braeburn coffee line and expanding the Crafted Kitchen & Deli concept.
Founded in Ballyfermot, Dublin, in 1992, the firm now operates close to 200 sites in Ireland and invests more than €30 million each year in new stores, upgrades and improvements. Internationally, the group runs over 435 locations in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States, serving more than 180 million customers annually. It reported a turnover of €3.8 billion for 2024 and employs nearly 18 000 people during the peak summer period.
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Traditional fuel‑focused retailers are adapting to changing driver habits. As electric vehicles become a larger share of the fleet, providers that add charging infrastructure and diversify retail offerings are positioning themselves to stay relevant.
The €85 million programme to grow the EV charging network, part of a larger €1 billion allocation for expansion across markets, signals a long‑term commitment to electrification. The strategy appears to hinge on pairing fast‑charging capabilities with recognizable food brands, a formula that may appeal to drivers seeking convenience on longer journeys.
While the new Naas hub promises jobs and modern amenities, success will depend on how quickly electric‑vehicle adoption accelerates in Ireland and whether the added retail mix meets traveler expectations. Ongoing recruitment and site development suggest confidence, but the actual impact on traffic patterns and local employment will become clearer once the facility opens.
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