You’ve expanded a fair bit over the last four years, tell us more about that?
It all came about on the back of JLT. So JLT opened in November 2010, then two years later we opened up at the airport where a major drinks company and distributor came to us and said, ‘look would you consider putting McGettigan’s at the airport?’, and that was a no-brainer. Then we went for DWTC. Then we had two in Ireland, one in Limerick and Letterkenny, County Donegal. That was a test because you know it will work in a place where people have high expendable income, but to bring that same concept back to Ireland where people wouldn’t have the same expendable income… it was hugely receptive, and there are two bars over there doing superbly. Then we opened Fujairah. What we’re doing now is Singapore which should open on March 17, 2015, St Patrick’s Day. The New York branch I’m hoping to open on February 28. We’re also doing an AED 7 million [US $ 1.9 million] expansion in McGettigan’s JLT, where we’re going to create a gig room by adding an extra 3000 square feet to the existing premises on the same level.
Did you plan for this expansion back in November 2010?
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No, not a chance! When I opened in 2010, it was in recession. I really needed something from an F&B offering that was going to support the hotel. I didn’t think of tomorrow, never mind a few hours’ time.
What would you say is your long-term goal for the brand?
I want to continue to expand. I’m going to look at London and Doha. We should have these open by September. I want to expand in Europe, and the United States in a large way. I would like to get into Africa and India. I want to try and have a situation whereby whatever airport you’re in, or whatever city you’re in, you know there’s a McGettigan’s not too far away. We want to aim for 50-70 McGettigan’s over the next five years.
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