Welcome to the December edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.
For anyone that has not yet received a copy of our 2010 Irish Foodservice Market Directory, please click here for a soft copy. Alternatively, please contact me on maureen.gahan@bordbia.ie to order a hard copy.
Our December Global Foodservice Trends Bulletin is now also available online at the following link.
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and looking forward to working with you in 2011.
General Industry News
British tourists are offered better deal
Irish Times 10.11.2010
British tourists have been promised better value for holidays in Ireland next year by Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin during one of the world’s biggest tourism exhibitions in London. “The big challenge is to bring the British market back up, because it has been slipping for the last few years. It is 50 per cent of the market, generating 40 per cent of the revenue, so it is critical,” said Ms Hanafin.
Tourism Ireland targets 4% increase in 2011 overseas tourism figures
Recovery Plan Launch – 29.11.2010
Tourism Ireland has set a target of increasing overseas tourism figures by 4% in 2011. The Government may abolish the €10 travel tax to encourage more airlines to open routes to Ireland. Tourism Ireland says overseas tourism has a critical role to play in contributing to Ireland’s economic recovery. Overseas tourism business accounts for 63% (over €3.1bn) of all tourism revenue and has the capacity to deliver even more for Ireland as part of an export-led economic renewal. Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, contributing in excess of 4% of GNP and providing employment for over 200,000 people in every community throughout the island.
Air Traffic Up
Hotel & Catering Review –November 2010
International air passenger traffic increased by 10.5% in September, compared to 2009, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported. The increase is a rise on August figures, which saw passenger numbers jump by 6.5%. European carriers recorded an increase in demand of 8.4% and a 5.9% increase in capacity, it reported.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Sector
Four Star Pizza chain has interim examiner appointed
Irish Times – 16 November 2010
The company behind the Four Star Pizza takeaway chain became the latest business in Ireland to seek the protection of the High Court from its creditors. Accountant Neil Huges of Huges Blake was appointed as interim examiner and is charged with seeking new investment and demonstrating to the High Court the company has a viable and long-term future. Mr Anthuan Xavier, majority shareholder in the company, said it would be “business as usual during the examinership process”.
Profits at McDonald’s
Hotel & Catering Review – November 2010
Profits at McDonald’s increased by 1.7% to €14.87m last year, despite an 8% decline in revenues to €85.3m. The group operates 14 restaurants in Ireland, with a further 64 run by franchisees.
Supermac’s profits up 18% to €6.2m
Irish Times Business – 17.12.2010
Pre-tax profits at fast-food group Supermac’s last year increased by 18 per cent to €6.2 million, despite a decline in revenues from €63 million to €58.8 million. Supermac’s opened its 100th outlet on the Tuam Road, Galway, earlier this month. Supermac’s is looking for further expansion in 2011 and intends opening a further four to five outlets.
Pub Sector
Globally beer still performing
Licensing World – November 2010
Beer consumption and on-trade attendance may be in decline in Ireland, but globally beer remains a strong performer, according to latest figures. Beverage industry information specialists Canadean, predict an average growth rate of 2.8% in global beer consumption between 2009 and 2015.
UK pubs safer pint search
Licensing World – November 2010
Pubs in the UK are one step closer to being able to serve beer in safer pint glasses with news that two major glassware suppliers are developing high tech glasses. Arc International’s ‘next generation’ pint glass uses a unique design and special production technique to create a glass that avoids dangerous shards if the glass is broken, thus minimising injuries.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
87 Irish Hotels in NAMA
Hotel & Catering Review – November 2010
John Mulcahy, Head of Portfolio Management at the National Asset Management Agency, has told a Dáil committee that the agency has 139 hotels on its books, 87 of which are in Ireland. The number of Irish hotels in NAMA account for close to 10% of the total hotel market.
The Restaurant Association of Ireland says that one restaurant a day is closing down
www.rte.ie – 08.11.2010
The Restaurant Association of Ireland says that one restaurant a day is closing down here. In its pre-Budget submission, the association claims that inaction by Government is putting as many as 21,000 jobs at risk. The Restaurant Association says 80% of Irish restaurants are running at a loss. It says Irish restauranteurs pay the second highest wage rate and the highest excise duty on wine in Europe. It also claims that food costs are 24% above the European average. The association also attributes part of the downturn in business to a 20% fall in overseas visitors in the first six months of the year.
Spring launch for Gaucho
Hotel & Catering Review – November 2010
The Gaucho Grill group, which operates 14 restaurants in London and Manchester, is to open in the former Ron Black’s pub on Dublin’s Dawson Street next spring. The building became available when the pub’s operator, The Thomas Read Group, went into receivership earlier this year.
New Eateries
Food&Wine Magazine – December 2010
After honing his culinary skills over the last 15 years in Fallon & Byrne, Mount Juliet and Bon Appetit, Robbie Burns is set to open Essence on the Main Street in Swords, Co. Dublin. His menu is inspired by the seasons and locally sourced ingredients from north county Dublin.
Casual Dining Sector
itsa Expands
Hotel & Catering Review – November 2010
Domini and Peaches Kemp have added to their empire with a second operation in Brown Thomas Dublin. The pair have opened Brown’s Bar, a new café at the luxury department store, where they also operate the third floor restaurant at Brown Thomas. In Brown Thomas’s Cork store, itsa operates Table restaurant.
Contract Catering Sector
Aviva targets festive parties
Licensing World – November 2010
Aviva Stadium is targeting the Christmas corporate sector with news of its ‘Christmas Carnival’. Dodgem cars, ringmaster circus acts, gourmet festive menu, carnival games and fortune tellers are all included in the Christmas office party event at a cost of €69 per person.