Welcome to the July Edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.
Appreciate we are still in the middle of summer, but wanted to share that we are delighted to confirm a date and location for our 2025 Foodservice Seminar - Tuesday, November 11th at the Johnstown Estate, Enfield. Once again it will be a half day (morning) event, wrapping up at lunch time. We will open online registrations in September, but for now, please hold the date in your Calendar and we look forward to seeing you in Enfield in November!
Monthly Spotlight: “Fandom” Phenomenon Reaches New Heights
Qatar Airways recently announced the launch of Sport24 networks onboard it’s flight, enabling travellers to catch sporting matches conveniently through in-flight entertainment systems or their own devices. The airline’s “Starlink-enabled” Wi-Fi system promises uninterrupted, lag free viewing across their flights.
Just another example of foodservice operators adapting to today’s consumers that are increasingly looking to enjoy live sport where-ever they are and avoid missing out on a moment of the action. It also reflects the growing trend towards “fandoms” – passionate communities that want to come together and are looking for immersive activities to ensure unforgettable memories.
General Industry News
CSO figures for May show 10% drop in tourist numbers
The Irish Times – 30.05.2025
Inbound tourism to the State was down 10 per cent last month compared to the same period in 2024, latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show. Some 560,500 foreign visitors made a trip to the Republic in May, spending €477 million, down 21 per cent compared with the same month last year. The largest contingent of visitors came from Britain (35 per cent) and the United States (25 per cent). The most frequent reason for travelling was for holiday and leisure (43 per cent), followed by visiting friends or relatives (31 per cent).
Dublin and Cork airports have busiest June to date
RTE Business – 04.07.2025
New figures show record numbers of air passengers passed through both Dublin Airport and Cork Airport last month. The daa said 3.54 million passengers travelled through Dublin Airport in June, an increase of 5.8% on the same month last year, making it the busiest June to date. 355,000 passengers passed through Cork Airport last month, 15% higher than last year, making it the busiest June in the airport’s 63-year history.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
Wagamama returns to Dublin after closure of three outlets last year
The Irish Times – 17.06.2025
Wagamama is set to return to Dublin this weekend, following the closure of its three outlets in the city last September. The Asian restaurant chain will open in Liffey Valley and its branch in Dundrum Town Centre will reopen in mid-August. Last year, Wagamama closed the doors of three Dublin restaurants – on South King Street and in Blanchardstown and Dundrum – after receivers failed to reach an agreement with the UK-based chain on a restructuring of their franchise arrangement.
Alcohol consumption in Ireland continues long-term downward trend with 4.5% drop last year
Drinks Industry Ireland – 09.06.2025
Total consumption in Ireland fell by 2.4% last year to 41.5 million litres, resulting in an overall 4.5% drop in alcohol intake per person when last year’s 2.3% increase in population is taken into account. Beer was the country’s most popular alcohol last year. Its market share increased by 0.4% to 43.3% despite an overall drop in beer consumption. Wine was the second most popular drink, increasing its market share by 0.1% to 28.2% in 2024. Wine’s popularity has increased significantly since 2000 (13.2%). Spirits fell by 0.4% to 22.3%. Cider fell by 0.1% to 6.1%. The report was commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), which said the figures demonstrated that Irish people are increasingly drinking alcohol in moderation.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
Dalata Announces Second Hotel In Germany
Hospitality Ireland – 30.05.2025
Dalata Hotel Group, the UK and Ireland’s largest independent four-star hotel operator, has announced an agreement with Deka Immobilien (Deka) to lease the four-star Clayton Hotel Tiergarten in Berlin. The hotel, which previously operated as the Novotel Berlin am Tiergarten hotel, is currently undergoing an 18-month refurbishment. Upon completion, the full-service Clayton Hotel will include 274 bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, a meeting and events centre, a sauna, a steam room and a gym. Dalata expects to commence operations, through a 25-year lease, in the second half of 2026.
Over 200 Irish Restaurants Have Already Closed In 2025
Hospitality Ireland – 03.07.2025
The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has warned the government that it must fulfil its promise to reinstate the 9% VAT rate for food-led hospitality businesses or face the consequences of further closures and job losses, particularly in rural towns and villages. The association made the claim in its pre-budget submission, outlining urgent policy measures which it said are needed to safeguard thousands of restaurants, cafés and gastropubs across Ireland.
Casual Dining / Route To Market Sector
Applegreen Invests €2m To Open Braeburn Cafe And Drive-Through In Navan
Checkout – 25.06.2025
Braeburn Coffee has officially opened a new cafe and drive-through in Navan Retail Park, following a €2 million investment by Applegreen. The new cafe and drive-through will create 20 new jobs for the area. Braeburn Navan Retail Park is the coffee brand’s eighth cafe and its third stand-alone drive-through location. It follows the first official location in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, which opened in June 2023, and the more recent opening at Applegreen Rathcoole, which opened in April 2024.
Chopped And Too Good To Go Announce New Partnership
Checkout – 24.06.2025
Chopped has announced a new partnership with surplus food marketplace Too Good To Go in an effort to save fresh, healthy food from going to waste. Following a successful pilot, participating Chopped stores across Dublin are now live on the Too Good To Go app. This partnership allows Chopped to reduce daily food waste by offering Too Good To Go Surprise Bags filled with leftover ingredients and food, giving customers the chance to enjoy fresh products at a reduced price, while preventing waste.