IRISH-OWNED fuel group Topaz has secured a 15-year contract with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to operate the filling station at Dublin airport, which is currently run by Esso.
Fast food giant McDonald’s has also won a tender with the DAA to operate a drive-through restaurant adjoining the Topaz station.
The new developments are expected to employ up to 100 people between them.
Subject to planning approval, Topaz, Ireland’s largest fuel provider, plans to demolish the existing filling station and invest about €2.2 million in a new facility.
This will include a larger convenience shop and a seated area for those consuming its hot food and coffee offering. It will employ about 30 staff.
Topaz, whose backers include wealthy entrepreneur Denis O’Brien and Galway businessman Gerry Barrett, takes charge of the site on April 1st.
“It will be a bigger station with a better offering for customers,” Paul Candon, Topaz’s marketing and corporate services director said.
Topaz currently has 113 company-owned sites and 197 dealers in its network.
McDonald’s is expected to spend more than €3 million on its restaurant and create about 60 to 70 jobs.
The site for the filling station and restaurant is located on the exit road from the airport. The expanded facilities should prove popular with people returning from trips abroad or arriving into the country and hiring a car.
Topaz and McDonald’s will also be targeting the thousands of staff employed in various activities on the airport complex.
It is understood that their deals with the DAA involves a revenue sharing mechanism with the State-owned airport operator.
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