Welcome to the March Edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter
We have a date confirmed for our 2026 Foodservice Seminar - please mark Tuesday, 17th November in your Calendar. The theme for this year’s event is Turning Disruption into Opportunity and we are once again back at the Johnstown Estate in Enfield. Further information to follow in due course.
Monthly Spotlight: First‑Hand Feedback in Foodservice Operations
Burger King’s move to place president Tom Curtis directly on the phone with customers marks a clear shift in how major foodservice brands are confronting operational challenges. Over a two week period, Curtis is spending several hours a day gathering unfiltered feedback on issues like food temperature, service consistency and restaurant cleanliness, creating a real time insight stream that will inform decisions on value, remodel timelines and service standards.
Starbucks is pursuing a similar path under CEO Brian Niccol. His “Back to Starbucks” strategy is driven by regular store visits and partner feedback, leading to the return of handwritten cup notes, self serve condiment stations and workflow changes designed to reduce barista strain and restore a warmer, more authentic coffeehouse experience. These adjustments respond directly to what customers and frontline employees have expressed they want: smoother operations and more human connection instore.
This exemplifies a wider foodservice shift toward using firsthand human insight to drive operational improvement.
General Industry News
Cabinet Set to Lift Dublin Airport Passenger Cap
The Irish Times – 10.02.2026
The Cabinet has formally approved plans to lift Dublin Airport’s long-standing 32 million passenger cap, enabling legislation that will allow passenger numbers to rise to as much as 40 million from 2026. The decision marks a significant policy shift aimed at easing capacity constraints at Ireland’s main international gateway, with potential benefits for inbound tourism, connectivity and visitor-driven demand across the hospitality and foodservice sectors.
CSO Revisions Signal Healthier Labour Market
Drinks Industry Ireland– 16.02.2026
Revised CSO figures show Irish employment rising to 2.58 million, with job growth strengthening to 2% and unemployment easing to 4.7%. Bank of Ireland expects the upcoming Labour Force Survey to reaffirm this momentum, underpinned by gains in construction, transport, education and health. Multinational hiring has softened marginally but remains broadly stable, with new investments set to support future employment growth. A steadier, more sustainable labour market is a positive signal for the Irish foodservice sector, bolstering consumer confidence, spending power and demand across hotels, restaurants and cafés.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
McDonald’s Announces €150m Irish Expansion
Irish Examiner – 03.03.2026
McDonald’s is launching a €150 million expansion in Ireland, committing to five new restaurant openings each year for the next five years and creating around 1,750 jobs. The growth will bring the chain to 100 sites by 2027, aligning with its 50th anniversary in Ireland. The rollout follows the opening of a new restaurant in New Ross and continued franchise investment, including a €3m refurbishment in Douglas, Cork. With 96 restaurants operated by 18 franchisees, McDonald’s remains the country’s largest purchaser of Irish beef. The brand’s accelerated expansion comes amidst intensifying competition from recent US entrants such as Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Popeyes.
Six Nations Drives Major Social Surge for Irish Pubs
Drinks Industry Ireland – 19.02.2026
New research shows the Six Nations remains one of the strongest social drivers for Irish pubs, with most adults planning gatherings around major fixtures and treating match days as key social occasions. The tournament reliably transforms pubs into high energy community hubs, lifting atmosphere, dwell time and group-based visits, especially during headline games. Younger adults are particularly pub oriented for live sport, while older cohorts tend to mix home and pub viewing, highlighting varied but complementary demand patterns. Overall, the findings reinforce the Six Nations’ role as a crucial early year trading catalyst for the Irish pub sector, supporting higher footfall, stronger weekend peaks and increased spend across food, drink and social occasions.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
Hoteliers Confident for 2026 Despite Cost and Global Pressures
The Irish Times – 23.02.2026
Irish hoteliers enter 2026 with a generally positive outlook following strong 2025 occupancy of 76%, though rising business costs and global uncertainty remain key concerns. IHF president Michael Magner says forward bookings point to stable performance, aided by the return of the 9% VAT rate for food led businesses from July. 51% of hoteliers expect improved trading conditions, and 75% plan capital investment this year (mainly room refurbishments, F&B upgrades and sustainability initiatives such as energy efficiency and food waste reduction) reflecting continued confidence despite economic headwinds.
Two Irish Restaurants Earn First Michelin Stars
RTE News – 10.02.2026
Ireland’s fine dining scene reached a new milestone, as Forest Avenue in Dublin and The Pullman in Galway earned their first Michelin stars at the 2026 ceremony. While no new three star venues emerged, the event underscored Ireland’s rising global culinary status and strengthened calls for a national food tourism strategy. With 18 one-star and 5 two-star restaurants now recognised, Ireland’s reputation for worldclass talent and provenance driven cuisine continues to grow.
Casual Dining & Contract Catering Sector
Esquires Coffee Posts Strong Ireland & UK Performance in 2025
Propel Info – 17.02.2026
Esquires Coffee delivered robust growth across Ireland and the UK in 2025, outperforming wider market trends. Irish store sales rose 27% to €9.9 million, while UK sales increased 18.3% to £21.9 million. Momentum remained strong through Q3, with Ireland up 25.3% year on year and the UK up 18.4%. The brand continued to scale its network, reaching 21 stores in Ireland and 81 in the UK by year‑end, and has agreed a new master franchise deal that will see at least 50 Esquires sites open in the UAE. The company highlights sustained franchise demand and resilient consumer interest in high‑quality, organic‑focused café offerings.
Sodexo Showcases Sustainable Culinary Direction
Sodexo.com – 25.02.2026
Sodexo will host the Grand Finale of its Cook for Change! competition in London on the 24th, where nine chefs from eight countries will create plant-forward, seasonal menus focused on sustainability and quality. The initiative reflects a wider shift within contract catering toward provenance led, nutrition focused food strategies that balance scale with sustainability. This direction closely mirrors the aforementioned developments in Ireland’s fine dining sector, where recent Michelin recognition has highlighted the growing alignment between culinary excellence, responsible sourcing and international reputation.