Supermac’s hungry to expand to Europe as owner confirms McDonald's case 'paves way'

Fast food chain Supermac’s recent victory over rival McDonald’s in the European courts has sparked a surge of interest for potential franchises across the EU.

Supermac’s, the fast-food restaurant chain founded by entrepreneur Pat McDonagh, received around 50 enquiries from potential franchisees across Europe after winning a trademark case against McDonald’s.

Any expansion into Europe or the UK would be Supermac’s first foray outside the island of Ireland.

It was reported that enquiries about franchising the Supermac’s brand came from countries such as Poland, Germany, France and the UK. Supermac’s has a similar trademark case with McDonald’s pending in the UK, it was reported on Sunday.

In an interview with American broadcaster CNN, the Galway entrepreneur said Supermac’s will now be ‘reassessing’ its position and is looking forward to expanding across Europe in the next few years.

Earlier this month, Supermac’s came out on top in a long-running ‘Big Mac’ trademark dispute with McDonald’s after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in the Galway-based fast food firm’s favour. 

The court upheld a complaint by Supermac’s which argued that McDonald’s could not use the ‘Big Mac’ trademark in respect of poultry products.

Supermac's managing director McDonagh described the decision as "a significant victory for small businesses throughout the world".

He added that Supermac's is "looking forward to expanding across Europe in the next few years".