Industry | Restaurants |
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Founded | 2007Belfast | in
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Area served | |
Key people |
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Products | |
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Number of employees | 444[3] |
Website | www |
Boojum is an Irish chain of Mexican fast-food[4] restaurants in Ireland. Founded in 2007 by John and Karen Blisard, they operate 17 outlets throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland,[5] as well as a "Turbo Boojum" outlet in Dublin.[6] On 10 April 2024, Boojum opened their first store outside of Ireland, in Leeds, England.
Boojum was founded in 2007 by John Blisard and his wife Karen, who met in Philadelphia.[7] The chain was bought in 2015 and is now owned by former Ulster Rugby player Andy Maxwell and his brother David,[8] a 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.[9][10]
In June 2023, the company was bought by Azzurri Restaurants Ltd, the owner of the Zizzi and ASK Italian chains.[11]
As well as burritos, tacos, fajitas and burrito bowls,[12] Boojum also produces home barbecue kits,[13] and rice-scented candles.[14]
In 2021, Boojum's managing director David Maxwell criticised supermarket chain Morrisons for apparently imitating Boojum's branding on their Mexican ready meal range.[15] In 2017, Boojum's burrito was the second most commonly ordered item of food on Deliveroo in the world.[16] In 2018, their burrito was the fourth most commonly ordered item of food on Deliveroo in the world.[17]
In 2019, an advertisement for Boojum featuring a depiction of Jesus was criticised by a spokesperson from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as well as DUP councillor Mark Baxter.[18]
In 2022, the chain apologised after a photo of two tip jars depicting Johnny Depp and Amber Heard emerged on social media.[19]