Supermac's

File:Ballinasloe Main Street 2010 09 15.jpg, where the first Supermac's restaurant is located]]

File:Pat McDonagh, Supermacs.jpg

The first restaurant was opened in Ballinasloe, County Galway, in the West of Ireland in 1978, by Pat and Una McDonagh. A second restaurant opened two years later in Gort, followed by an Eyre Square premises in Galway city which opened in 1982.{{cite web|url=http://www.joe.ie/uncategorized/pat-mcdonagh-start-up-recipe/9814?shortlink=1|title=Pat McDonagh: start-up essentials|website=JOE.ie|access-date=2 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/mhmhsneyojkf/rss2/|title=Supermac's boss accuses McDonald's of disrespect|website=irishexaminer.com|publisher=Irish Examiner|first=Gordon|last=Deegan|date=27 June 2015|access-date=2 November 2015}}

{{As of|2013|11}}, Supermac's was the largest Irish-owned quick service food chain,{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/pre-tax-profits-at-supermacs-up-a-tasty-6-to-535m-250560.html|title=Pre-tax profits at Supermacs up a tasty 6% to €5.35m|date=23 November 2013|newspaper=Irish Examiner|first=Gordon|last=Deegan|access-date=11 January 2016}} with over 100 outlets across Ireland. In June 2014, Supermac's opened its 100th store in the Barack Obama Plaza on the M7 Motorway.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/supermacs-chief-hits-road-with-7m-obama-plaza-30316133.html|title=Supermac's chief hits road with €7m Obama Plaza|work=Irish Independent|first=Brian|last=McDonald|date=29 May 2014|access-date=2 November 2015}} Supermac's also exclusively operates the Papa Johns brand in the island of Ireland as well as SuperSubs, which replaces the Quiznos franchise that Supermac's formerly held.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/goodbye-to-education-and-hello-to-mr-chips-1.584189|title=Goodbye to education and hello to Mr Chips|work=The Irish Times|first=Una|last=McCaffrey|date=29 April 2011|access-date=13 June 2020}} The company employed over 4,000 people as of 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.supermacs.ie/careers/|title=Supermac's Careers|website=supermacs.ie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331235454/https://supermacs.ie/careers/|archive-date=31 March 2020|quote=The Supermac's Group employs in excess of 4,000 people}}

The Restaurant was named together by locals and its owners: The founder, Pat McDonagh, earned the nickname 'Supermac' whilst playing Gaelic football for the Carmelite College in Moate. This then became the choice of name for his business, "Supermac's".{{cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/mcdonalds-supermacs-wars-4008231-May2018/|title=Origin of name 'Supermac's' revealed as Irish fast food brand goes to legal war with McDonald's|publisher=TheJournal.ie|first=Gordon|last=Deegan|date=11 May 2018|access-date=2 April 2024}}

Through Supermac's Ireland Ltd, Pat and Una McDonagh also own Claddagh Irish Pubs & Restaurants, a chain of eleven Irish-themed bars and restaurants operating in eight Midwestern states in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.claddaghirishpubs.com/main/about-claddagh-irish-pubs/|title=About Claddagh Irish Pubs|website=claddaghirishpubs.com|access-date=2 November 2015}}

Supermac's is Ireland's largest indigenous quick service restaurant group.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/jobs/supermacs-to-create-100-jobs-at-new-motorway-plaza-in-galway-31449045.html|title=Supermac's to create 100 jobs at new motorway plaza in Galway|work=Irish Independent|first=Sarah-Jane|last=Murphy|date=13 August 2015|access-date=2 November 2015}} Supermac's Holdings Ltd. has applied to trademark the Supermac's name in both Europe and Australia with McDonagh stating, in 2015, that he was planning on "responding to demands coming from fifteen cities internationally for the opening of Supermac's restaurants".{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2015/0626/710800-supermacs-mcdonalds-registration-battle/|title=Supermac's in trademark battle with McDonald's|publisher=RTÉ News and Current Affairs|date=26 June 2015|access-date=2 November 2015}}

In 2013, the company expanded its motor services business by developing the Tipperary Town Plaza and Mallow N20 Plaza on national primary routes. The company opened another plaza in Kiltullagh, County Galway at the M6 Loughrea Junction in February 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/supermacs-outlets-year-new-jobs-2528560-Jan2016/%20|title=Supermac's to open six new outlets this year|publisher=TheJournal.ie|first=Michael Sheils|last=McNamee|date=3 January 2016|access-date=11 January 2016}}

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| image1 = Galway - Rosemary Ave - Supermac's - geograph.org.uk - 3024899.jpg

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| caption1 = Supermac's in Galway's Eyre Square

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Galway actress Nicola Coughlan revealed in May 2025 that she had received a Supermac’s Super VIP card.{{Cite web |last=Mallon |first=Sandra |date=2025-05-27 |title=Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan honoured with VIP Supermac's gold card |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/bridgerton-star-nicola-coughlan-honoured-35293691 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Irish Mirror |language=en}} The card states it was issued in October 2024 and is valid for life while also noting she is also known as" the characters she has played including Clare Devlin in Derry Girls and Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton. As of May 2025 she is the only known recipient of a Supermac's Super VIP Gold card

The company has also expanded its hospitality business interests through the purchase and development of the Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick, Loughrea Hotel & Spa, Galway, Charleville Park Hotel, Cork, The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise,{{cite web|url=http://www.hospitalityireland.com/supermacs-boss-takes-over-portlaoise-hotel/17669|title=Supermac's Boss Takes Over Portlaoise Hotel|website=hospitalityireland.com|date=8 July 2015|access-date=2 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.farmersjournal.ie/supermacs-launches-first-fresh-meat-burger-in-fast-food-chain-in-ireland-187117/|title=Supermac's launches first fresh meat burger in fast food chain in Ireland|website=farmersjournal.ie|access-date=2 November 2015}} Castle Oaks House Hotel, Limerick{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/jobs/supermacs-chief-pat-mcdonagh-to-create-hundreds-of-jobs-across-ireland-37787640.html|title=Supermac's chief Pat McDonagh to create hundreds of jobs across Ireland|work=Irish Independent|first=Louise|last=Kelly|date=6 February 2019|access-date=19 February 2019}} and Athlone Springs Hotel, Monksland

Supermac's initiated the "Bring them Home" campaign where they reunited families, whose relatives were living around the world, for Christmas. Between 2012 and 2013 Supermac's flew 43 people who had emigrated from Ireland during the economic recession to locations worldwide back to Ireland to be with their families and friends over the festive season.{{cite web|url=http://supermacs.ie/bring-them-home/|title=Supermac's bring them home competition|website=supermacs.ie|date=21 November 2013|access-date=2 November 2015}} The campaign was promoted on 2FM's Tubridy Show and through RTÉ One's The Late Late Show, where the winners surprised their families by being reunited live on air during Christmas week. In 2014, Supermac's campaign appeared in Times Square (7th Avenue) in New York City.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/food-news/supermacs-snack-box-takes-over-new-yorks-time-square/30681604.html|title=Supermacs snack box takes over New York's Time Square|work=Irish Independent|first=Patricia|last=Murphy|date=21 October 2014|access-date=21 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.joe.ie/news/have-you-seen-the-size-of-the-gigantic-supermacs-ad-thats-taken-over-times-square-472534|title=Have you seen the size of the gigantic Supermac's ad that's taken over Times Square?|publisher=JOE.ie|first=Eoghan|last=Doherty|date=21 October 2014|access-date=21 July 2023}}

In 2012, the chain was included in a list of "10 fast-food restaurants you haven't heard of" by the Daily Meal programme on Fox News,{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/25/10-fast-food-restaurants-havent-heard/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025222804/http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/25/10-fast-food-restaurants-havent-heard/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2012|title=10 fast-food restaurants you haven't heard of|publisher=Fox News|date=25 October 2012|access-date=2 November 2015}} while USA Today included Supermac's in a list of "Top Foreign Chains we want to move Stateside" in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/07/25/fast-food-freedom-top-foreign-chains-we-want-in-the-usa/2584855/|title=Fast-food freedom: Top foreign chains we want in the USA|website=USA Today|date=25 July 2013|access-date=2 November 2015}}

File:Supermacs Galway hurling sponsorship on Bus Éireann.jpg sponsorship on a Bus Éireann bus in 2023]]

Supermac's sponsors a number of sporting organisations. As of 2018, the company's association with Galway hurling was one of the longest running inter-county GAA sponsorships in the country, then in its twenty eighth year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/supermac-s-in-five-year-deal-with-galway-gaa-for-2m-1.3499189|title=Supermac's in five year deal with Galway GAA for €2m|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}} In 2013, a deal was signed seeing both hurling and football in Galway sponsored by one organisation for the first time.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/supermacs-chips-in-to-unite-galway-codes-221047.html|title=Supermacs chips in to unite Galway codes|publisher=Irish Examiner|first=Cian|last=O'Connell|date=29 January 2013|access-date=2 November 2015}} The deal included sponsorship of Galway football and hurling across all age groups from under age through to senior. As of 2013, Supermac's had provided over €2 million to Galway's GAA county board.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/galway-gaa-supermacs-773347-Jan2013/|title=Galway GAA ties up five-year sponsorship deal with Supermacs|date=28 January 2013|publisher=The42|access-date=2 November 2015}}

The company also engages with other sports sponsorships such as rugby,{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/30686/supermacs-supports-connacht-rugby|title=Supermac's supports Connacht Rugby|publisher=Galway Advertiser|date=9 September 2010|access-date=2 November 2015}} soccer,{{cite web|url=http://www.mervueunited.com/gallery/119634/Supermacs_Launch_Sponsorship_of_Mervue_Utd_Airtricity_League_Team|title=MERVUE UTD Official Website|website=mervueunited.com|publisher=Mervue United A.F.C.|access-date=2 November 2015}} international rules football (2005) and horseracing (Limerick, Ballinrobe races).{{cite web|url=http://racecaller.com/horse-race-cards/Limerick/2015-07-05/2000000000597016|title=Racecaller.com: Allowing Horse Racing Fans to Connect, Compete and Find Winners|website=racecaller.com|access-date=2 November 2015}}

Other Supermac's sponsorships include The Ray Foley Show on Today FM from 2010 to 2012,{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/supermacsofficial/posts/the-supermacs-sponsored-show-the-today-fm-ray-foley-show-joined-by-his-entertain/137672576262684/|title=The Supermacs sponsored show, the Today FM Ray Foley show, [joined by his entertaining co -hosts JP and Ann] are broadcasting LIVE from Eyre Square Galway today from 12.30-2.30pm...be sure to pop into Supermacs Eyre Sqare after the show to get a glimpse of JP and his crew!!!|date=15 July 2010|access-date=21 July 2023|via=Facebook}} and The Will Leahy Show on RTÉ 2fm from 2012 to 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.advertiser.ie/Galway/article/56042/dress-up-for-the-the-music-drive-in-aid-of-barnardos|title=Dress up for the the[sic] music drive in aid of Barnardos|publisher=Galway Advertiser|first=David|last=Mannion|date=25 October 2012|access-date=21 July 2023}}

The restaurant chain also sponsored the Volvo Ocean Race 2009 and 2012 during the Galway leg of the race.{{cite web|url=http://connachttribune.ie/galway-s-top-sporting-sponsor-in-appeal-for-celebration-of-success/|title=Galway's top sporting sponsor in appeal for celebration of success – Connacht Tribune – Galway City Tribune|website=Connacht tribune.ie|publisher=Connacht Tribune|first=Bernie|last=Ni Fhlatharta|date=20 August 2013|access-date=2 November 2015}} Supermac's was also a sponsor of Cannonball Ireland in 2012 and 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/local-news/cannonball-2012-makes-a-final-pitstop-at-dundrum-1-4274379|title=Cannonball 2012 Makes a Final Pitstop at Dundrum|work=Tipperary Star|date=18 September 2012|access-date=2 November 2015}}

File:Supermac's mighty mac.jpg claimed the name Supermac's and menu items, such as the Mighty Mac burger, infringed on the Big Mac trademark]]

In 2017, McDonald's objected to Supermac's registering its name and certain of its product names as trademarks throughout the European Union for the purpose of expanding outside of Ireland.{{cite news|last1=Hooker|first1=Lucy|title=McDonald's loses right to chicken Big Mac name|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp00jj7ze3qo|access-date=5 June 2024|publisher=BBC News|date=5 June 2024}} McDonald's argued that the Supermac's name is visually similar to McDonald's, while Supermac's argued that it has traded alongside McDonald's in Ireland since 1978 without confusion.{{cite web|url=https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/battle-of-the-burgers-supermacs-and-mcdonalds-in-name-row-30977960.html|title=Battle of the burgers: Supermac's and McDonald's in name row – Independent.ie|work=Irish Independent|first=Gordon|last=Deegan|date=9 February 2015|access-date=2 November 2015}} McDonald's won a partial victory, with the EU's Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) ruling that Supermac's could trade under its own name in the EU, but it rejected Supermac's trademark applications for several items, including menu items. It said that consumers could "be confused as to whether Supermac's is a new version of McDonald's", given the almost identical products sold by both chains.{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/mcdonalds-wins-fight-against-supermacs-2571373-Jan2016/|title=McDonald's wins fight against Supermacs|publisher=TheJournal.ie|first=Paul|last=Hosford|date=28 January 2016|access-date=14 July 2017}}

Supermac's, in turn, challenged McDonald's right to hold certain trademarks registered by it in the EU. In January 2019, the EUIPO ruled that certain trademarks owned by McDonald's, including Big Mac, were to be revoked.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/supermacs-wins-trademark-battle-with-mcdonald-s-1.3758704|title=Supermac's wins trademark battle with McDonald's|work=The Irish Times|first=Peter|last=Hamilton|date=15 January 2019|access-date=13 June 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46879488|title=McDonald's loses case against Irish rival|publisher=BBC News|date=15 January 2019|access-date=13 June 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/109969699/irish-burger-chain-beats-mcdonalds-in-big-mac-trademark-battle|title=Irish burger chain beats McDonald's in Big Mac trademark battle|publisher=Stuff|location=New Zealand|first1=Stephanie|last1=Bodoni|first2=Leslie|last2=Patton|date=16 January 2019|access-date=1 February 2019}} In 2023, the EUIPO Board of Appeals partially reversed the decision revoking McDonald's trademarks, permitting McDonald's to continue to use the trademark for poultry products and restaurants, but also permitting Supermac's to use the Big Mac name on its own food products.{{Cite web|title=Trademark rights in McDonald's BIG MAC trademark partially upheld|url=https://www.plesner.com/insights/articles/2023/05/trademark-rights-in-mcdonalds-big-mac-trademark-partially-upheld-?sc_lang=en|access-date=2024-01-02|website=plesner.com|date=25 May 2023}}{{cite news|last1=Connelly|first1=Tony|title=Supermac's wins Big Mac trademark case with McDonald's|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/0605/1453086-supermacs-mcdonalds-trade-mark-case/|access-date=5 June 2024|publisher=RTÉ News|date=5 June 2024|language=en}}

Supermac's appealed the EUIPO's decision to the European Court of Justice. On 5 June 2024, the court held that McDonald's had failed to prove use of the Big Mac trademark in relation to chicken products or in relation to services associated with operating restaurants, meaning Supermac's and other businesses are now free to use the "Mac" in their business names and in names for poultry products in Europe. McDonald's retains the Big Mac trademark for its beef burgers only.{{cite news|last1=Power|first1=Jack|title=EU court rules in favour of Supermac's in 'Big Mac' trademark row with McDonald's|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/06/05/eu-court-rules-in-favour-of-supermacs-in-trademark-row-with-mcdonalds/|access-date=5 June 2024|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=5 June 2024}}{{cite news|last1=Hosford|first1=Paul|title=EU court rules in favour of Supermac's in trademark dispute with McDonald's over 'Big Mac'|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-41409767.html|access-date=5 June 2024|work=Irish Examiner|date=5 June 2024|language=en}}

In June 2025, it was reported that McDonald's was attempting to block the expansion of Supermac's into the UK market and intended to proceed with IPO trademark court proceedings in the UK, despite having been unsuccessful in the EU proceedings in 2024.The Business Post, 'Burger battle as McDonald's sues Supermac's over UK expansion, 15 June 2025, page 1

Supermac's has donated money to charities such as Trócaire and to local charities including Alan Kerrins African Projects.{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/20473/sports-stars-give-their-cups-to-galway|title=Sports stars give their cups to Galway|publisher=Galway Advertiser|first=Richie|last=McCarthy|date=23 December 2009|access-date=2 November 2015}} It has also hosted charity events in its outlets such as Today FM's Shave or Dye.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/supermacsofficial/posts/197524183600231|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/116003279878/197524183600231|archive-date=2022-02-26|url-access=limited|title=Supermac's – Over €18,000 and counting raised for the... – Facebook|via=Facebook|date=1 March 2011|access-date=2 November 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{better source needed|date=October 2021}}

• List of hamburger restaurants
• List of Irish companies

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|www.supermacs.ie}}

{{Restaurant chains in Ireland}}

Category:Ballinasloe

Category:Fast-food chains of Ireland

Category:Restaurants established in 1978

Category:Irish brands