Applegreen has been awarded a contract by the Massachusetts Department of Transport (MassDOT) to redevelop and operate 18 service plazas across the US state.
The Irish firm will invest more than $750 million to redevelop nine services plazas and refurbish another nine in partnership with local companies Suffolk Construction and Upland Architects.
"Applegreen and our team have curated three different revitalisation concepts reflecting the various local cultures and architectures," Applegreen said in a statement.
"Rather than a generic stop along a busy highway, each Plaza will stand as a symbol of the region it serves, seamlessly integrating into its surroundings while creating a distinct sense of arrival, offering travellers and experience that is uniquely Massachusetts."
The three concepts are Western ("echo[ing] traditional New England craftsmanship"), Central ("sleek and contemporary) and Coastal ("light, airy and inviting").
Applegreen will operate all aspects of the plazas, including restaurants, cafés, shops, fuel and EV charing, and the company said it is confident that it will lead "a timely, effective process with limited downtime to customer services" during the works.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MassDOT to improve the travel experiences of drivers across Massachusetts for years to come," Applegreen added.
The company expects that 700 construction jobs will be created during the redevelopment and renovations process, and that a further 1,500 will be employed at the 18 plazas when they open.
Applegreen operates 530 locations and employs around 18,000 people globally, including more than 7,000 in the US where it currently has 113 service plazas. The company generates €3.9bn in annual revenue.
Gross profit increased nine per cent to €972m in 2023, according to recently filed accounts for Applegreen parent Causeway Consortium Holdings. EBITDA rose seven per cent to €271m.
The Irish business generated sales of almost €1.1bn last year, while Applegreen’s UK turnover was just over €2bn, and US sales were worth €800 million. Applegreen recorded a loss before tax of €83m, marginally lower than in 2022.
The fuel and forecourt retailer announced plans last November to invest €1bn over five years to expand its business in Ireland, the UK and the US and grow its EV charging network.
The company is in the process of growing the number of M&S Food concessions at its Irish stores from 19 to 60 and, in the US, it operates Burger King, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, Starbucks, Dunkin, Panera Bread and Panda Express brands.
Applegreen has invested €1bn in the US in the decade since it bought its first two sites in New York’s Long Island in 2014 and is now one of the largest Irish employers in the US.
Photo: (l-r) Joe Barrett and founder Bob Etchingham. Pic: Supplied)
