Pat McDonagh (businessman)

Patrick McDonagh (born 1952 or 1953)[1] is the founder and owner of Supermac's, an Irish fast food franchiser. Originally working as a school teacher, he later became a multi-millionaire.[3]

Pat McDonagh
McDonagh in 2016
Born1952 or 1953[1][2]
Galway, Ireland
NationalityIrish
EducationCarmelite College
Mary Immaculate College
OccupationBusinessman
Years active1978–present
Known forFounder of Supermac's, Só Hotels and the Plaza Group[2]
SpouseUna McDonagh

Personal life
Pat and his wife Una in 2017

McDonagh is a native of County Galway, where he lives with his wife Una. He was educated at Carmelite College, Moate, County Westmeath, and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.[1] Trained as a teacher, he worked for a time as a teacher (and later principal) in a national school near Loughrea, County Galway.[3]

He 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".[4] McDonagh has an interest in sport, and his company has sponsored several sports teams, including sponsoring Galway's football and hurling teams for several decades.[5][6]

Business ventures
Further information: Supermac's

McDonagh founded Supermac's in Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland in 1978 after failing to get planning permission to build a pool hall. He expanded the franchise to over 100 stores across Ireland.

He also owns other business ventures in the food and hospitality industry. Among these are the Claddagh Irish Pubs, an Irish pub-themed chain in the United States, founded in 2001.[7] In 2006 McDonagh bought the franchise rights for Papa John's Pizza in Ireland.[8] As of 2019, there were over 63 Papa John's Pizza outlets throughout the country.[9] In 2014, he established SuperSubs salad and sandwich bars which operate from some Supermac's outlets.[10]

McDonagh's other ventures include travel plazas across Ireland including the Barack Obama Plaza off the M7 at Moneygall, Tipperary Town Plaza (Limerick Road), Mallow N20 Plaza (Limerick Road), Ballyhea (Limerick Road), the Galway Plaza Junction 16 on the M6 and the Charlestown Service Station in County Mayo.[11] He also owns the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise and the Charleville Park Hotel, Cork which he purchased after the development of the Loughrea Hotel & Spa, Galway and the Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick which were bought in 2014 and 2012 respectively.[12][13] In 2018 he purchased the Athlone Springs hotel.[14]

References
  1. "Pat McDonagh the CV". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 8 April 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  2. "Supermac's founder aims to supersize his empire". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2022. Name: Pat McDonagh ; Age: 66 ; Position: Founder of Supermac's, the Plaza Group and Só Hotels
  3. Byers, David (2 February 2003). "How I Made It: Pat McDonagh, md, Supermac's". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  4. "Sweet taste of success for fast food sponsor". Independent.ie. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  5. "Supermac's in five year deal with Galway GAA for €2m". The Irish Times. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  6. "'Disappointed' Galway GAA respond to Supermac's request". 2 October 2019.
  7. Mulligan, John (29 March 2008). "Supermac's owner acquires Claddagh chain for $10m". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  8. "McDonagh buys Papa John's pizza franchise". www.irishexaminer.com. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  9. "About Papa John's pizza restaurants in Ireland". Welcome to Papa John's. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  10. Carroll, Anne Marie. "Salad days". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  11. "Home Page". The Plaza Group. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  12. Flanagan, Peter (26 June 2015). "Supermacs founder closes deal to buy Killeshin Hotel in Laois". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  13. "Pat McDonagh takes over the Charleville Park Hotel". www.limerickleader.ie. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  14. Athlone Springs Hotel refurbishment to create welcome employment
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