Fast-food chain Supermac's is to create 300 new jobs as it opens three new outlets.

The company has also announced the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Killeshin Hotel, Castle Oaks House Hotel and Athlone Springs Hotel.

The hotels are owned by Supermac's chief executive Pat McDonagh and his wife Una through the SÓ Hotels Group.

Some 200 jobs will be created in three new Supermac's outlets in Wexford, Waterford and Kinnegad.

While 100 further jobs will be created through the redevelopment and refurbishment of the Athlone Springs Hotel, the Castle Oaks House Hotel in Limerick and the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise.

Construction has already begun in Kinnegad - with construction due to start in Wexford and Waterford.

A further 300 jobs are also in the pipeline in Letterkenny, Longford, Ennis and Portlaoise - subject to planning permission.

Mr McDonagh also announced on Wednesday that he intends to spend a further €1m to €2m on further modernisation of the Killeshin.

The Athlone Springs Hotel | Image: Facebook/Athlone Springs Hotel

Supermac's is Ireland's largest indigenous fast-food restaurant chain and has 116 outlets across the country.

Business Minister Heather Humphreys said: "It gives me great pleasure to announce the creation of 300 jobs by the Supermac's and SÓ Hotels Groups at six locations including Portlaoise, Athlone and Kinnegad here in the Midlands, as well as Wexford, Waterford and Limerick.

"I would like to warmly congratulate Pat and Una McDonagh and everyone involved on their wonderful achievement and wish them all the best in the exciting new chapter ahead."

"It is especially pleasing to see an Irish company creating local jobs, not only directly, but through the wide base of Irish suppliers and those involved in the building developments."

Mr McDonagh added: "What makes Supermac's different is that we source as much of our produce as we can from local suppliers.

"That starts with the building process and continues on to the supply of the food that we supply our customers."

"Not only do we provide sustainable jobs but we also provide sustainable careers often in parts of the country that need them. But we also become active members of the community as well."