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Bord Bia

Welcome to the November edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.  

Please note that we have reached maximum capacity for our foodservice seminar and registration is now closed. Recording from the speakers and panel sessions will be uploaded to our website following the event.

General Industry News

Overseas Tourism to Ireland Continues to Rebound
Hospitality Ireland – 06.11.2023 
Tourism Ireland has reported that air access to Ireland is up for winter 2019, including flights from two of the country’s biggest source markets, Great Britain (at 103% of 2019 levels) and North America (at 112% thereof). The latest figures show that hotel occupancy is also ahead of 2019 levels, albeit with the caveat that the industry is operating in a new reality, with 13% of rooms under contract for humanitarian reasons.

Consumers still favour Ireland's On-Trade Despite Cost of Living Crisis
Drinks Industry Ireland – 02.11.2023 
Playing to win in the Irish on trade CGA by NIQ’s on trade Consumer Insights report, reveals that 60% of consumers in Ireland have seen a significant increase in the cost of living over the past year, with three in 10 seeing a severe impact on their finances. Despite the current economic climate, there is still an opportunity for suppliers and operators to drive consumer spend. The report reveals that eating and drinking out remains a key part of consumers’ lives (68%), and a proportion of consumers (24%) say they will continue to go out to visit the channel even when short of cash, demonstrating the high value they place on the channel.

 

QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANT (QSR) & PUB SECTOR


Domino's To Create 600 Jobs Across Ireland
Hospitality Ireland – 09.10.2023  
Domino’s has announced a major new recruitment drive to fill 600 roles across Ireland, as it gears up for the festive season, with 700,000 pizzas estimated to be ordered by consumers during this time. The pizza company is seeking delivery drivers and in-store team members and pizza-makers.

JD Weatherspoon Puts Up Irish Regional Pubs For Sale
ShelfLife – 18.10.2023   
JD Wetherspoon is selling its regional portfolio in Ireland, including premises in Cork, Waterford, Galway, and Carlow. After almost a decade in the Irish market, the entire portfolio is offered at €10m. An Geata Arundel in Waterford, The Linen Weaver in Cork and The Tullow Gate in Carlow are all currently in operation, with each of these pubs having undergone refurbishment and are available for sale. The other available property is the late Carbon nightclub situated in Galway, which is not currently operating at the moment. Although, it has secured planning permission for licensed premises and restaurant use. While selling its regional portfolio, JD Wetherspoon will continue operating in Dublin with key establishments, including The Old Borough Hotel, The Forty Foot, The Great Wood, Keavan’s Port Hotel and The Silver Penny.

 

Hotel and Restaurant Sector


Doyle Hotel Group Reports Surge in Profits Due to 'Steady Growth' in Business Post Covid
The Irish Times – 06.11.2023  
The Doyle Collection hotel group recorded a strong bounce back last year with its turnover and profits almost trebling following “steady growth” in tourism and leisure activity, and corporate business. Latest accounts for Doyle Hotels (Holdings) Ltd show that turnover rose to €147.7 million last year compared with €53.2 million in 2021, when many Covid-19 public health restrictions were still in place. The company said the improved turnover for 2022 reflected the removal of Covid-19 public health restrictions in the first quarter of the year and subsequent improved trading across its three markets – Ireland, the US and the UK.

The Chawke Group Opens New Pizza Restaurant in Dublin
Hospitality Ireland – 12.10.2023  
The Chawke Group has announced the opening of its third Fired Up Pizza restaurant, in Donnybrook, Dublin. The New York-inspired restaurant serves neo-Neapolitan wood-fired pizza and supports small, independent Irish suppliers. Fired Up Pizza originally opened in May 2020, serving authentic wood-fired pizzas out of two repurposed shipping containers outside the Goat Bar, in Goatstown, Dublin. Three years on, the chain is now operating from three locations: Goatstown, Rathfarnham, and now Donnybrook.

 

Route to Market and Casual Dining Sector


Just Eat Lifts 2023 Core Profit Outlook
Irish Times – 18.10.2023  
Just Eat, Europe’s biggest meal delivery company, raised its full-year core profit, citing growth in Britain, Ireland and Northern Europe. It forecast adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of about €310 million ($327.8 million) for 2023, up from its previous guidance of about €275 million. Following a boom in food deliveries during the pandemic, the sector is seeking to transition to a rational profitability model even as they invest more in marketing to avert a churn in customers.

Spade Shared Kitchen Launched by Government

Hospitality Ireland – 25.10.2023   
The first open plan shared commercial kitchen at the SPADE Enterprise Centre in Dublin City Centre has been officially opened by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney. SPADE was created by the government to serve as an incubation centre for start-up food and drinks producers and is based in North King Street, Dublin 7. The facility spans some 5,600 square feet, including kitchen and storage facilities, providing capacity for 24 businesses. The facility also has a garden where food markets are planned, which would give food producers another advantage as they can sell their produce directly at this market, while providing a place for local people to enjoy.