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| Industry | Restaurants |
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| Founded | 2007 in Belfast, Ireland |
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Number of employees | 444 [3] |
| Website | www |
Boojum is an Irish-owned chain of Mexican fast-food [4] restaurants. Founded in Belfast in 2007 by John and Karen Blisard, they operate 17 outlets throughout the island of Ireland, [5] as well as a "Turbo Boojum" outlet in Dublin. [6] On 10 April 2024, Boojum opened their first store outside of the island of Ireland, in Leeds, England. [7]
Boojum was founded in 2007 by John Blisard and his wife Karen, who met in Philadelphia. [8] The chain was bought in 2015 by former Ulster Rugby player Andy Maxwell and his brother David, [9] a 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. [10] [11] The first Boojum opened up as a small outlet in 2007 on Botanic Avenue, in Belfast [12]
In June 2023, the company was bought by Azzurri Restaurants Ltd, the owner of the Zizzi and ASK Italian chains. [13]
As well as burritos, tacos, fajitas and burrito bowls, [14] Boojum also produced home barbecue kits, [15] and rice-scented candles. [16]
In 2021, Boojum's managing director David Maxwell criticised supermarket chain Morrisons for apparently imitating Boojum's branding on their Mexican ready meal range. [17] In 2017, Boojum's burrito was the second most commonly ordered item of food on Deliveroo in the world. [18] In 2018, their burrito was the fourth most commonly ordered item of food on Deliveroo in the world. [19]
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. [20]
In 2022, the chain apologised after a photo of two tip jars depicting Johnny Depp and Amber Heard emerged on social media. [21]