Dougies Goodies hits 100-store milestone with landmark launch at Applegreen Ballymena A26

Members of the Dougies Goodies team with staff from Applegreen Ballymena A26, marking a 100 retail store partnership across Northern Ireland

A Ballymena launch has marked a major milestone for one of Northern Ireland’s best-known local bakery brands, with Dougies Goodies officially opening at Applegreen Ballymena A26 as its 100th stockist location across Northern Ireland.

The opening represents a significant moment for the fast-growing business, which says it is “thrilled” to reach the landmark figure and to celebrate it in Ballymena, where its popular cakes and bakes are now available to even more customers travelling through the area.

The new launch also marks the third Applegreen site to stock the brand, underlining the continued growth of a partnership that has rapidly expanded across Northern Ireland.

A landmark moment for the brand

For Dougies Goodies, the Ballymena opening is more than just another retail launch — it is a symbolic moment in the company’s expansion journey.

The business said it was “incredibly proud” to reach 100 stockist locations, describing the Applegreen Ballymena opening as the perfect place to mark the occasion.

The milestone follows what the company described as the hugely successful rollout at Applegreen Lisburn Southbound, followed by a further launch at Applegreen Templepatrick, both of which were said to have received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers.

‘A piece of cake’ - celebrating the 100 retail store partnership as Dougies Goodies Ballymena a continues it expansion of sweet treats across Northern Ireland

That momentum has now carried into Ballymena, extending the brand’s footprint further across Mid and East Antrim and strengthening its presence along key commuter and travel routes in Northern Ireland.

The move means motorists, local residents and passing customers using the busy A26 corridor now have access to Dougies Goodies’ well-known range of fresh traybakes, cakes and sweet treats.

Strong growth through Applegreen partnership

The company said its relationship with Applegreen has continued to go from strength to strength since the first site launch.

In a statement marking the occasion, Jonathan Hunter, Commercial Director at Dougies Goodies, said the Ballymena opening was a fitting way to celebrate the milestone.

“We’re thrilled to mark this incredible milestone as we welcome our 100th stockist location in Northern Ireland and we couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s happening here at Applegreen Ballymena.

“We have built a strong and positive partnership with Applegreen. The success of our first launch showed how well our brands work together, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the Applegreen team across each location. We’re excited about this latest opening and look forward to continuing our partnership, bringing Dougies Goodies to even more customers in the future.

“Dougies Goodies is now open at Applegreen Ballymena and to sweeten up the occasion even more they hid a £100 gift card in one of their goodies in Applegreen for one lucky customer to find! Keep an eye out for that familiar pink and be sure to call in to pick up your goodies.”

The comments underline the commercial success of the partnership so far, with the retailer and bakery brand continuing to build on strong customer demand.

Sweet surprise for Ballymena customers

To celebrate the launch, Dougies Goodies has added an extra incentive for customers visiting the Ballymena store.

A £100 gift card has been hidden inside one of the products at the Applegreen site, with one lucky customer set to discover the surprise prize.

The promotional giveaway is expected to add further excitement around the launch and encourage shoppers to visit the store in the coming days.

The brand has urged customers to “keep an eye out for that familiar pink”, referencing its distinctive packaging and branding that has become increasingly recognisable across Northern Ireland.

Growing presence across Northern Ireland

Reaching 100 stockists is a significant commercial milestone for any regional food brand, and the achievement reflects Dougies Goodies’ continued growth in a highly competitive retail market.

The Ballymena launch further cements the company’s expansion across Northern Ireland and highlights the growing appetite for locally recognised food brands within major convenience retail locations.

For Ballymena, the launch adds another popular local product offering to one of the town’s key roadside retail destinations.

With the Applegreen partnership continuing to expand, the company has also signalled that further growth may be on the horizon.

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At a glance

• Dougies Goodies has launched at Applegreen Ballymena A26

• The opening marks the company’s 100th stockist location in Northern Ireland

• It is the third Applegreen site to stock the brand

• Previous launches included Lisburn Southbound and Templepatrick

• The company says customer response at previous locations has been overwhelmingly positive

• A £100 gift card has been hidden inside one product for one lucky customer

• The Ballymena launch marks a major milestone in the brand’s regional expansion

• More locations could follow as the Applegreen partnership continues to grow