Popeyes, Dundrum Town Centre

The Louisiana fried-chicken chain opened its fourth Irish restaurant at Dundrum Town Centre at 11am on Friday 11 September 2026, with the queue starting on Sandyford Road from 9am. Popeyes said the opening created about 60 jobs. Tom Crowley, chief executive of Popeyes UK and Ireland, fronted the announcement. It follows openings at Liffey Valley and elsewhere in the past year, and lands in a centre that RTÉ and The Irish Times reported is seeing around 25 new openings and revamps in 2026.

For operators nearby: a QSR opening of this size pulls lunchtime and early-evening spend. The counter-move is not price; it is a tighter, faster lunch offer and a bookings funnel for evenings. Our software guide covers the cheapest way to take bookings if you don't already.

Fuoco, Ranelagh

Fuoco opened in Ranelagh on Tuesday 15 September 2026. It comes from the team behind Michelin-listed Parrilla and Mak: an Italian-inspired room with Mediterranean cooking, pizzette, and dishes cooked over coals, in a dark, cosy dining room. The Business Post's review praised the service and a lasagne served on a skewer. We have not yet confirmed the street address or price points independently; we will add them after a visit.

Also noted

Fired Up Pizza now runs four south Dublin shops (Cornelscourt, Donnybrook, Goatstown and Rathfarnham), opening from 4pm daily and from 2pm at some sites at weekends, with online ordering and walk-ins. It is one of several small Dublin pizza groups growing by neighbourhood rather than by city-centre flagship, which is the pattern our best pizza nominations will test.