Welcome to the May edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.
A final reminder that our Lunch&Learn foodservice webinar is taking place on Monday of next week, May 8th from 1-2PM. Join us online for one hour of insights and conversation, with a global focus on all things foodservice.
For more information and to register your attendance, please visit our website here.
Opinion Piece
War on Food Waste
At a time where the planet is struggling to produce enough food to feed an ever growing population, it seems incredulous that on average, we waste as much as one third of the food we produce.
To coincide with Stop Food Waste Day on April 26th, Hello Fresh Ireland announced a partnership with Food Bank, whereby any surplus food that they receive to their depot is redistributed via the Food Bank network of charities. They also outlined a number of handy tips for customers on how best to plan, store, freeze and repurpose food to reduce both food and financial waste at a time where consumers are struggling with increased food costs.
Managing food waste is also top of mind within the hospitality sector, from high street restaurants to contract caterers such as Compass Group who feed millions of people across the world every day.
For further details on some of the initiatives that Compass are involved in (using technology to monitor food waste and encouraging creativity to repurpose food left-overs), click on this link to listen to a recent podcast with Compass Group UK&I Head of Environment, Ashleigh Taylor.
General Industry News
Inbound tourism visits during Q1 still down 16% on pre-pandemic levels
www.rte.ie – 12.04.2023
The number of international visitors to Ireland over the first three months of the year remained down 16% compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic hit. According to data compiled by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), 1.7m people visited Ireland from overseas between January and the end of March. The representative body for the sector has expressed concern about continued inflation in costs and shortages of supply of accommodation and rental cars.
Restaurants Concerned They Could Close In Next Year, Research Finds
Hospitality Ireland – 06.04.2023
Independent provider of risk and financial advisory solutions Kroll has revealed in its new survey fresh fears that restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality sector may be forced to close in the coming 12 months as a result of inflationary and staffing pressures. These findings follow news of the extension to the reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector, but at a time when businesses are no longer able to warehouse additional revenue liabilities.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
Dublin tech firm Hosted Kitchens lands rights to MrBeast burger franchise ahead of Irish launch
Business Post – 22.04.2023
Hosted Kitchens, a Dublin-based tech business, has secured the Irish rights to run the MrBeast burger franchise. The fast food chain will operate through virtual kitchens, initially serving 25 locations across Ireland. MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is the most subscribed-to individual on YouTube, with 147 million subscribers and 25 billion views, and is the fourth most subscribed-to YouTube account overall. The 24-year-old American launched his burger brand in 2020 and operates across the US, Canada and Britain through virtual kitchen partners.
Late-Night Bars Bounce Back In Ireland, Reveals CGA Research
Hospitality Ireland – 11.04.2023
After prolonged disruption from COVID-19 lockdowns and trading restrictions, CGA's research reveals a revival for Ireland's late-night bars over the last 12 months. CGA's On Premise Measurement Service shows the bar segment increased its share of on premise sales by 0.9 percentage points in 2022 - and by 1.3 percentage points from the pre-COVID-19 levels of 2019.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
The Europe Hotel & Resort Wins Good Food Ireland Awards
Hospitality Ireland – 20.04.2023
The winners of The Good Food Ireland Awards were announced at a business lunch at The K Club in Co. Kildare. The Europe Hotel & Resort was recognised as a "best-in-class" hotel for delivering a high-quality dining experience, showcasing seasonal Irish ingredients, and was also awarded Hotel of The Year & Supreme Winner of The Year at the business lunch.
Hawksmoor to open in Dublin on May 25
Business Post – 25.04.2023
Hawksmoor, the steak restaurant chain, will officially open its Dublin restaurant on May 25, but will offer a 50 per cent discount on food during a soft launch period from May 17 to 24. The business was founded by childhood friends Will Beckett and Huw Gott in London in 2006. Hawksmoor Dublin will be located in the National Bank building at 34 College Green, which was most recently used as an Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store. It will include a 152-seater restaurant, bar and private dining space.
Wholesale, Distribution and Food-to-go Sectors
Daybreak to open 37 new stores supporting 500 jobs in €8 million expansion for 2023
ShelfLife.ie – 07.04.2023
Daybreak has announced an €8.2 million investment in its store expansion programme for 2023. The investment will see it grow its nationwide presence with the opening of 37 new stores, from 300 currently. The move will also support up to 500 jobs across local communities, bringing the total employment figure at Daybreak to almost 4700. The expansion and investment programme will bring the Daybreak network to 360 stores nationwide by 2025.
Musgrave MarketPlace unveils new positioning for its brand
ShelfLife.ie – 18.04.2023
Musgrave MarketPlace has unveiled a new positioning for its brand. “Business Made Easy” is a renewed commitment from the Irish business with customer service placed firmly at its heart. Branches are now open seven days a week with extended opening hours and delivery routes. Nationwide delivery and a 24/7 online ordering system are available, allowing customers to shop at a time that suits them. In addition, expansion in both range and produce have included more vegan and healthy ingredients; a scaled alcohol business under the Musgrave MarketPlace brand; Butchers Prime, a premium Irish Hereford meat range; and Brewdoo Coffee, a bean-to-cup and barista coffee proposition for the hospitality sector.