Eddie Rocket's opens today in Tullamore

The first midlands branch of the much-loved American style diner restaurant Eddie Rocket’s will open in the former Irish Nationwide building on O’Connor Square in Tullamore today (Friday) at 6pm.

The new 1950’s-inspired eatery that’s known for its hamburgers, shakes and malts brings with it employment for 35, with supervisors, chefs, porters and waiting staff among that number.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent manager Declan McGuinness said the fast food outlet will add to the town’s dining options rather than compete against them.

“In Tullamore you have a fantastic range of restaurants,” Declan explained. “You’ve a lot of high end restaurants and a lot of good fast food outlets. We’re not competing with any of them. Eddie Rocket’s is in between. It’s giving people something that’s new and it’s going to be fantastic for the midlands.”

The first Eddie Rocket’s city diner restaurant opened on South Anne Street in Dublin in 1989. It’s thought the closest branch of the franchise before now was in Carlow.

Talks to bring the franchise to Tullamore began last November, and were agreed in March. Original plans would have seen the diner with seating for 76 open for the May bank holiday weekend. The opening date was pushed back to accommodate staff training however, according to the new manager.

Eddie Rocket’s in Tullamore will open from 10am until 11pm Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 4am on Friday and Saturday and from 10am to 1am on Sunday.