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Forecourt Focus
Applegreen announces new charity partnerships
APPLEGREEN has announced a new partnership with Enable Ireland and Pieta House, who join with the Irish Youth Foundation and FoodCloud to form their corporate charity partnerships for 2020 and 2021. The charities were chosen with the help and input of the Applegreen Ireland customers and staff and have a focus on the areas of children, mental health, disability and continuing to grow the Applegreen Blossom Fund. Joe Barrett, COO, Applegreen plc, said: “We are proud to announce our new charity partnerships and their strong focus on mental health, disability and youth wellbeing. We’re also delighted to continue our partnership with FoodCloud, enabling them to increase their ability to rescue more surplus food across the country. This community focused, sustainable approach is an area we are continuing to develop in order to drive a greater impact and make a positive difference.”
Enable Ireland is a charity that provides vital therapy and support services to over 8,100 children and young people with disabilities, and their families. “We are delighted to have been selected as one of Applegreen’s chosen charities,” said John O’Sullivan, CEO of Enable Ireland. “Support from Applegreen’s staff and customers will go towards our respite services and enable us to provide the best possible support to the children and young people in our care.”
Pieta House supported nearly 1,000 young people at the risk of suicide and self-harm in 2019 and has developed the Resilience Academy as a result. “The support of Applegreen will ensure that we can expand our programme to reach more schools across the country through our Resilience programme,” noted Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta House. “Our trained counsellors visit schools, listening to the needs of the teenagers and teaching vital coping skills in the classroom.”
Every time a customer makes a purchase in-store, 1c is donated to the Applegreen Charitable Fund at no extra cost to Pictured are (back row, l-r): John O’Sullivan, CEO, Enable Ireland; Aoibheann O’Brien, CEO at FoodCloud Hubs; Bob Etchingham, CEO, Applegreen; Joe Barrett, COO, Applegreen; (front row, l-r): Vivienne Lawlor, Head of Communications at FoodCloud; Donal Kitt, National Fundraising Manager at Enable Ireland; Sinead Price, Director of Fundraising, Pieta House; and Lucy Masterson, Chief Executive of the Irish Youth Foundation.
the customer. Money is also donated through counter-top boxes placed in all Applegreen stores nationwide and from fundraising events organised by staff. In 2018, an impressive circa €750,000 was donated to Irish charities, giving much needed support to the incredible work done by these organisations every day.
Maxol customers raise €66,000 for Aware
MAXOL customers have raised an incredible €66,000 in the company’s Christmas fundraising campaign for its charity partner, Aware. It brings the total funds raised by Maxol to over €100,000 for 2019 and the total since the partnership began in 2016 to an incredible €420,000. Maxol’s Christmas Coffee Cup campaign saw a 10-cent donation go to Aware for every purchase of their exclusive Rosa coffee as well as other hot drinks, during November and December 2019.
“We are delighted with the support shown by our customers for our charity partner Aware; it is amazing the difference we can make with a collective effort across the country,” noted Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group. “We are very proud to partner with Aware and we look forward to rolling out more fundraising initiatives in 2020, as we celebrate our centenary year at Maxol. I’d like to thank all of our valued customers, retailers and staff who have supported this good cause.”
Pictured announcing the results of Maxol’s fund-raising campaign for Aware are Brian Donaldson (right), CEO of The Maxol Group, and Drew Flood of Aware.
RTÉ Media Sales has announced Maxol as new sponsor of RTÉ 2FM’s Weekday Traffic & Travel bulletins. Brokered by Mediaworks and Core Sponsorship, the 12-month sponsorship will feature 10 Maxol sponsored credited stings per weekday. Stings will air in both morning and evening drive on 2FM Breakfast and on both Jenny Greene on 2FM (3-6pm) and Game On (6pm-6:30pm).
“This 2FM sponsorship is a brilliant way to kick-start our centenary year, and is just one of a number of high-profile initiatives that we will be launching to mark 100 years of Maxol as a family owned business at the heart of the community,” noted Caroline Burton, Head of Marketing, The Maxol Group. “Maxol’s customers are a community of radio listeners - at home, on the go, in work and in the car. And therefore, it’s really exciting to have this campaign run across the national airwaves, right throughout the year, reaching them wherever they are tuning in. 2020 is a big year of celebration for everyone in Maxol and we want to generate a real buzz right across the country, getting customers and communities involved in the celebrations too.”
Sarah Geoghegan, Senior Sponsorship Manager, Core Sponsorship, said ‘’At Core Sponsorship, we are all about Photographed are: 2FM’s Emma Power, Caroline Burton Head of Marketing, The Maxol Group & 2FM’s Laura Fox.
finding sponsorship solutions for brands that access a strong audience base, have impact and are a great fit and the Traffic and Travel sponsorship on RTÉ 2FM is just that. It is the perfect fit for Maxol, reinforcing their message to listeners that they are celebrating their 100th year of service in Ireland as an Irish family-owned business in 2020 and are looking forward to serving communities for the next 100 years.”
Vegan croissant launches at Applegreen APPLEGREEN inspired its customers to try vegan and plantbased food this Veganuary by adding a new vegan croissant to its range. “Following the resounding success of the Vegan Sausage Roll last year, we have listened to our customers and are meeting the growing demand for a broader choice of quality plant-based alternatives,” explained Fiona Matthews, Commercial Director for Applegreen Retail Operations Ireland. “Our branded food partners have come on board in supporting our strategy with the Rebel Whopper launching recently in Burger King, the Meatless Meatball Marinara at Subway, whilst at Freshii you can create your own vegan or flexitarian favourites.”
The brand new vegan croissant uses margarine as a butter replacement to create the light, flaky texture usually expected from a traditional butter croissant.
January also saw the launch of a new vegan option to their sandwich and wrap range, the limited edition Vegan Massaman Thai Wrap: a tasty blend of potato and butternut squash in a Thai style curry sauce with crunchy slaw and flaked almonds. “We’re continuing to develop our plant-based food range and are committed to bringing our customers more choices,” revealed Matthews. “We work with the best local Irish producers and suppliers to deliver the most innovative, high-quality, great tasting food to our customers. Furthermore, we are working hard to address our customers’ ever-growing sustainability concerns to close the loop fully on our recycled packaging and offer more sustainably sourced options.”
Circle K fuels emergency services with free coffee
CIRCLE K provided free Simply Great Coffee on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve to employees of An Garda Síochána, Fire Service, RNLI, Coastguard and the National Health Service at Circle K outlets nationwide, in recognition of the vital services that the Irish Emergency Services provide to communities across Ireland. “This gesture is Circle K’s way of giving a little something back to the people who work so hard to keep our community safe and protected daily,” noted Judy Glover, Senior Market Director at Circle K Ireland.
Circle K announces Play or Park winners
CIRCLE K has revealed that Amir Khan, from Co. Meath; Michael Murphy from Kimmage, Co. Dublin; and Sergejus Strebkovas from Citywest, Co. Dublin; are all grand prize winners of Circle K Play or Park. Almost €50,000 worth of prizes have been awarded to the latest Play or Park winners and thousands more have enjoyed instant rewards when they played their points at Circle K. Navan man Amir Khan played his points at Circle K in Ashbourne and, as the August 2019 winner, will soon jet off to experience the jazz filled delights of New Orleans. Amir will head to America’s deep south on an adventure of a lifetime, including return flights for two to New Orleans, five nights’ accommodation in the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel, as well as a high-speed airboat swamp adventure, a behind-the-scenes jazz tour and €2,000 spending money. Dublin based Michael Murphy was the September 2019 winner. Having played his points at his local Circle K in Kimmage, Co. Dublin, Michael won free miles fuel for two people to the value of €3,000 for a year as well as v2,000 worth of insurance cover from the AA. The cover includes AA car insurance, AA membership, AA home membership and home insurance.
And finally, Dublin-based Sergejus Strebkovas was recently revealed as the October 2019 winner. Sergejus will
Amir Khan and his wife celebrate winning a trip to New Orleans with Richard Pollock, Loyalty and Insights Manager at Circle K. travel to Honolulu, Hawaii this year to enjoy 10 nights’ accommodation at the five-star Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki. Whilst there, Sergejus will enjoy a whale watching experience and surfing lessons on the famous Waikiki beach.
“I am delighted to announce the latest winners of Circle K’s 2019 Play or Park initiative, all of whom have won truly incredible prizes,” noted Richard Pollock, Loyalty and Insights Manager at Circle K. “We will soon be announcing our 2020 prizes so keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information. As always, to be in with a chance of winning, remember to play your points when filling up at Circle K throughout the year.” Richard Pollock, Loyalty and Insights Manager at Circle K, presents Michael Murphy with his prize as the September Play or Park winner: free miles fuel for two people to the value of €3,000 for a year, as well as €2,000 worth of insurance cover from the AA.
Dublin-based Sergejus Strebkovas, the October 2019 Play or Park winner of a 10-night trip to Honolulu, pictured with Richard Pollock, Loyalty and Insights Manager at Circle K.
Maxol invests €3.75m in new Rathnew site
THE Maxol Group has commenced works on a new greenfield site at Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, leading to the creation of 20 new jobs for the area. The 1.45-acre site is the first greenfield site for the company in two years and is expected to open in April 2020.
With a substantial investment of €3.75m, the latest site will offer first class forecourt and convenience facilities, including pay-at-pump, as well as the all-new Maxol Deli with seating for 32 customers, Rosa Coffee, free WiFi, a new car wash and 39 car park spaces.
This announcement reaffirms the company’s position of continuous investment in site developments, having recently announced an investment of €5m in upgrading three Dublin service stations, and is part of the company’s ongoing investment strategy in the network.
“Today’s announcement is significant for us as it is our first greenfield site since A26 Tannaghmore in Antrim Northern Ireland, which opened in 2017,” noted Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group. “It comes on the back of a significant investment programme, introducing our new modern forecourt with premium fuels and in-store offer and we’re happy to be bringing employment to the local area with the creation of 20 new jobs.
Pictured are Colm P Delamere from Mannings Construction and Brian Donaldson, CEO, Maxol at the Maxol Rathew site.
“Whilst there have always been multiple reasons to visit your local Maxol service station, more and more of our growing customer base is now popping in for items other than or in addition to fuel. Because of this, we are constantly looking at ways to grow our services, retail and fresh food dining options. We very much look forward to bringing our latest innovative forecourt model to the community of Rathnew in Wicklow.”
