Re-Patriating The Profits

Some years ago, Pat McDonough decided to conquer the American food industry. He invested heavily in a franchise of expensive Irish pubs and ended up in a feud with his partner/manager Kevin Blair.

And in the end, he was the sole owner of the Claddagh Pub chain. Heavily in debt, it was no sure thing that the restaurants would survive.

Kevin Blair was right about one thing, even as he over-reached and over-extended. The idea and the menu and the venue were all going concerns. Claddagh Pubs have turned a profit.

The money was earned in the U.S., but Mr. McDonough is Irish and so the profits have gone home with him. He's expanding his SuperMac's chain of fast food emporia. In Ireland. With money earned in the U.S.

It's not so one-sided as it might appear, however. Mr. McDonough plans to build a string of travel plazas along Ireland's motorways, and the first one will rise up in Moneygall.

And we all know who is going to be stopping in Moneygall soon, to visit his ancestral homeland (on his mother's side).

Granted, the place won't be opened until next year, long after President Obama has gone home, but it would be nice if the press photographers managed to snap a few "Coming Soon Supermac's" signs in the background.

Makes for outstanding, and free publicity. Perhaps a tag line might be added, somthing about "Be sure to visit Claddagh Pubs when you're in the States" and keep the profits flowing across the water.