McDonald’s has officially opened the doors to its newest Irish location in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, marking a €3.8 million investment.
Situated in Lakepoint Retail Park, the opening forms part of the company’s wider growth strategy, following its recent announcement of plans to launch 25 new restaurants across Ireland over the next five years, representing an investment of approximately €150 million.
Franchisee Seamus Rawle, who operates the existing Mullingar site alongside locations in Cavan, Longford and Westmeath, spoke to Hospitality Ireland recently about the importance of community integration and the role of local partnerships in driving long-term success.
How many jobs will the new restaurant create?
We’re investing €3.8 million in Mullingar and creating up to 120 new roles across crew and management, with additional opportunities generated through local suppliers and services supporting the restaurant.
What does being part of the Mullingar community mean to you as a local McDonald’s franchisee?
For us, being part of the community is essential. We hire locally, we support local events and groups, and we work to make each restaurant a positive presence in the area.
I live close by and already operate the Pearse Street restaurant, so this new opening is about continuing that long-term commitment to Mullingar.
Which local groups or causes do you like to support?
Local partnerships matter because they help us contribute in practical ways. We work with community organisations and clubs throughout the year, whether that’s supporting Tidy Towns initiatives, helping local sports groups, or backing charities such as the Simon Community.
What inspired you to become a McDonald’s franchisee?
I grew up around retail and food, and I’ve always enjoyed serving customers and building a team. As the business evolved, I wanted to partner with a trusted brand that matched my ambition and standards.
That led me to apply to McDonald’s, become a registered applicant, and work my way through the process to becoming a franchisee.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from running more than one restaurant?
The biggest lesson is that consistency comes from people and systems. You need strong managers, clear standards, and great communication across sites.
Once someone is trained and trusted, you have to empower them, then follow up in a way that supports performance without micromanaging.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The part I enjoy most is developing young people. Seeing someone start their first job, build confidence, learn new skills, and progress into responsibility is hugely rewarding, especially when they begin to take real pride and ownership in what they do.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I try to keep active and make time to switch off—golf midweek when I can, parkrun on Saturdays, and I play with a local pipe band on special occasions. If I get a quiet moment, I’m happy with a good book.
* To celebrate the opening, McDonald’s Mullingar will host a Family Fun Day on Saturday, 9 May from 12 noon and are welcoming the local community to join in the festivities. The event will feature family-friendly entertainment and live music from the Mullingar Town Band, who will perform live on the day as part of the official opening festivities.
