Restaurant chains to create 95 jobs

Two restaurant chains have announced plans to expand their Irish operations with the creation of 95 new jobs.

Mexican eatery Tolteca is to create 45 jobs in Dublin with the opening of two new restaurants.

The business, which first opened on Baggot Street in 2011, said its new Suffolk Street outlet, which opened last month, had already created 25 jobs.

It also announced plans for a third Dublin restaurant, to open within six months at an unspecified location, creating a further 20 jobs.

“I had a dream to bring the Tolteca model home to Ireland for some time,” founder and chairman Tony Comaskey said

“And now with our Baggot Street operations running so well, we have just opened our restaurant on Suffolk Street and plan to open more in the near future,” he said.

To mark the occasion, Tolteca is today giving away a free burrito and drink to customers at its Suffolk Street restaurant.

Separately, fast-food chain Southern Fried Chicken opened its first Irish outlet in Dame Street in Dublin today.

The consortium, which secured the Irish franchise for the chain, said it planned to open a further three restaurants in Dublin and elsewhere over the next 12 months, creating 50 new jobs.

"I am delighted to be the first to bring Southern Fried Chicken to Ireland and to create sustainable employment with a growing brand," Stephen O'Brien of the Irish consortium said.

"I identified a niche in the Irish market for a high-end fast food restaurant that offers customers a choice when it comes to southern fried chicken meal options."

Andrew Withers, managing director of Southern Fried Chicken, said: "We are delighted that someone as ambitious and entrepreneurial as Stephen has bought into our brand."

Southern Fried Chicken currently has over 600 stores across 30 countries