Bob Etchingham
Chairman, Applegreen
WHY THE US
At Applegreen, our decision to invest in the United States was shaped by opportunity, scale, and a belief that the US is one of the world’s most compelling environments for long-term, customer-focused businesses. It is a market that values ambition, rewards investment, and supports operators willing to commit for the long term. For Irish businesses prepared to invest capital and capability, it remains one of the most attractive places in the world to grow and operate a business.
We entered the US in 2014 with a small number of sites in New York. That early phase allowed us to learn the market, understand regional differences, and build partnerships. Encouraged by what we saw, we expanded through a combination of acquisitions and long-term public-private partnerships, establishing major operations across states including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware and South Carolina.
The strategic appeal of the US lies in its scale and diversity. Each state operates as a distinct market, but together they form an economy with unmatched reach and resilience. For a roadside food and service business like ours, the US offers consistent traffic volumes, strong brand recognition, and customers who value quality, choice, and reliable service delivered at pace.
It is also a market that supports long-term infrastructure investment, with contract structures that give the confidence to invest at scale and to build enduring partnerships. Working with established brands such as Chick-fil-A®, Shake Shack®, Burger King®, Starbucks®, and Dunkin’® allows us to meet customer expectations with consistency, while maintaining high operational standards across a geographically diverse network.
Equally important are the people behind our operations. Across the US, we employ more than 7,000 colleagues, many of whom are deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Their professionalism, local knowledge, and pride in their work underpin our performance and ensure a consistent experience for customers across the business.
Today, Applegreen operates 176 sites across 13 US states. The completion of the full redevelopment of all 27 Service Areas on the New York State Thruway in late 2025 stands as a defining milestone in our US journey and a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment. As we continue to invest, including the development of four new Service Areas in Colorado, the United States remains a core market for Applegreen and one in which we are committed to operating, employing, and investing in for many years to come.