A fresh wave of restaurant chain expansion is poised to reshape Ireland’s food and beverage scene, with global quick-service brands ramping up activity in the capital and regional centres, plus several new market entrants.

In Cork, Wendy's is set to open its first Irish outlet at Mahon Point Shopping Centre under a partnership with Corrib Oil, which has committed to opening 10 Wendy’s restaurants between 2025 and 2027, spanning standalone sites and forecourt locations.

Meanwhile, in Dublin, French-Italian group Big Mamma will make its Irish debut later this year with Gloria Osteria at 41 Westmoreland Street. The venue will seat 180 customers and has been designed to evoke the glamour of 1970s Italian osterias, according to the company. Big Mamma has signed a 20-year lease for the site.

The Paris-based group started in 2015 and has opened 30 trattorias in seven countries, plus a circa 485K SF food market called La Felicita in Paris.

These launches follow a planning submission to Dublin City Council in May from chicken chain Popeyes for an outlet on Westmoreland Street, marking another international name eyeing the Irish quick-service market.

Another U.S. brand, Taco Bell, entered the Irish market in September through a collaboration with Applegreen. The forecourt and motorway service area operator has revealed plans to open Taco Bell outlets at several of its Irish locations over the next five years.

Dutch smash burger brand Fat Phill’s has signed a multi-unit franchise deal and will open a restaurant in Temple Bar in the site formerly occupied by Leon. Additional outlets are planned over the next five years to build a network across the country, its second international market after the UK.

Meanwhile, the Australian Mexican-style chain Zambrero has expanded its presence in Dublin with two new locations, one at Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford and another on Parnell Street opening in mid-November, with six openings promise over the next six months as the chain goes beyond 30 outlets.