Plans for a separate ‘double drive-thru’ in the same area are still underway
15:10, 07 Jul 2026Updated 15:15, 07 Jul 2026
McDonald’s, Kinsale Road, Cork(Image: GM)
McDonald’s has been given the green light for upgrade works to one of Cork’s busiest drive-thrus, with the council approving plans for a major expansion along the Kinsale Road.
The American fast food giant has secured permission for upgrade works to the drive-thru restaurant, including an extension, a new entrance, and works to the outdoor dining patio area. The extension will provide a larger kitchen and dining area as well as a new entrance lobby, according to documents submitted by McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland Ltd.
The restaurant has been operating along the Kinsale Road for more than a decade, and designers say the new plans will improve the store’s efficiency and operations – a boost for long-time customers who may have gripes with the current drive-thru setup.
This latest expansion follows an impressive upgrade to the Douglas store, which has been in operation in Cork since the late 80s. McDonald’s invested more than €3 million in the upgrades, and the Douglas location remains the only one in Cork that’s open 24/7.
McDonald’s has remained a significant employer in Cork for many years, employing around 1,100 people across the Rebel County. It has not been confirmed if any additional roles will be created with the new expansion.
The chain is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Ireland next year, and has announced a €150m investment, 25 new locations and 1,750 new jobs by 2030.
However, there could soon be further competition in the area as Costa Coffee and KFC have applied for planning to build a double drive-thru right across the road. If approved, the new restaurant and takeaway will be built at Turner’s Cross Retail Park.
KFC and Costa will each occupy a separate unit on the site, and both units will have a dedicated drive-thru service. The council was originally due to make a decision in March, but further information from the applicants has been requested, which has stalled the process.
Should the green light be given, the development will see 72 car parking spaces removed from the car park to accommodate the new buildings. Each unit will feature indoor and outdoor seating, digital menus, a wraparound drive-thru lane, and a number of accessible and EV parking spaces. The applicants, Motor Services Limited, are also seeking permission for new footpaths, landscaping and other necessary site works.
The new location is part of a major investment announced by KFC last year, in which management committed to opening 500 new locations across the UK and Ireland, creating an estimated 7,000 jobs. The fast-food chain currently operates 35 locations across Ireland – including two in Little Island and Douglas – and is investing a total of €1.7 billion into the initiative.