Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Sector & Pub Sector

Supermac’s to spend €40 million on Irish farm produce in 2019

AgriLand – 22.05.2019

The Irish-owned family chain of restaurants – Supermac’s – has announced that it is projecting a spend of €40 million on Irish farm produce in 2019. The Managing Director of Supermac’s, Pat McDonagh, has said: “We are strongly committed to Irish farmers and the farming community in general.” A statement from the company has revealed that it will open a new restaurant in its latest plaza in Kinnegad in two weeks’ time. New store openings are “a big factor” in the increased spend, according to the statement. “Since we introduced our fresh range of beef and chicken products, customers have indicated that quality, taste and traceability are key factors when they are choosing their food”. Supermac’s is Ireland’s largest indigenous quick service restaurant chain. The franchise currently has over 116 outlets across the Republic and Northern Ireland. Supermac’s also operates the Papa John’s Pizza brand and SuperSubs which provide Supermac’s customers with additional healthy options.

JD Wetherspoon buys Carbon nightclub in Galway city

Irish Times – 16.07.2019

Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has acquired Carbon Nightclub in Galway with plans to upgrade the facility with an investment of about €2.5 million. The UK-headquartered company said it will apply for planning permission and a variation to the facility’s licence to develop the site into a pub. The move adds to the company’s Irish estate which encompasses seven pubs and one hotel. Wetherspoon owns five premises in operation in Dublin, including the recently opened Silver Penny, one in Carlow and one in Cork. It expects the Galway transaction to complete in August. Additionally, the company is developing an 89 bedroom hotel on Camden Street, Dublin, and a site in Co Waterford.