Welcome to the November Edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.
Thank you to all those that joined us at the Johnstown Estate, Enfield on Wednesday, November 13th for our 2024 Foodservice Seminar. For anyone that missed it, please note that recordings from the event have now been uploaded to our website here. You’ll also find a copy of our Press Release summarising key findings from the 2024 Irish Foodservice Market Insights report here. For anyone that would like a .pdf copy of the full report, please email me directly.
Monthly Spotlight: The Youth POV
In line with the Digital Transformation theme of our 2024 Foodservice Seminar, Claire Hyland, Head of The Youth Lab with THINKHOUSE delivered a fascinating presentation on ‘Understanding emerging digital culture to unlock growth’. Today’s young people have the tools and means to express themselves online through their food choices. The Youth Lab shared The Youth POV around food culture and the interplay between internet and In Real Life (IRL). Claire outlined 10 key insights on how to drive cultural relevance and unlock business opportunities. To view a recording of Claire’s presentation, click on this link.
General Industry News
Restaurants Association Of Ireland Launches Manifesto Ahead Of General Election
Hospitality Ireland – 21.10.2024
The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has launched its ten-point manifesto in advance of what it believes to be an imminent general election, to fix what it describes as the ‘broken financial model’ facing Ireland’s hospitality industry. Among the key demands of the RAI’s manifesto is a decoupling of the VAT rate between food and accommodation, in recognition of the different business models of small pubs and restaurants versus large hotels.
Consumer prices in Ireland rise by 0.1% for October 2024 – CSO
Drinks Industry Ireland – 01.11.2024
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has recently published the flash estimates of inflation from the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for Ireland for October 2024. The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for Ireland is estimated to have increased by 0.1% in the 12 months to October 2024 and grown by 0.3% since September 2024. This compares with HICP inflation of 0.0% in Ireland in the 12 months to September 2024 and an annual increase of 1.7% in the HICP for the Eurozone in the same period.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
Corrib Oil signs exclusive partnership with US fast food giant Wendy’s
Business Post – 13.11.2024
Service station operator Corrib Oil has signed a partnership with US fast food chain Wendy’s that will see 10 Wendy’s restaurants open in the country by 2027. The deal will lead to the creation of up to 300 new jobs and will be see Corrib become the official franchise partner for the chain in Ireland, according to a statement from the company. Corrib has maintained a 25 year business relationship with BWG Foods, the owner of Spar, with all convenience stores in its forecourts sporting a Spar branding. Its fuel offerings are either branded Circle K or Texaco.
Well-known publicans band together to launch new Dublin brewery Changing Times
Business Post – 12.11.2024
Publican Benny McCabe, brewer Shane Long and some of Dublin’s leading pubs are among the backers of a new €1.8 million brewery launched in Dublin. Known as Changing Times, the brewery based in Glasnevin along the banks of the Royal Canal wants to attract Dublin’s pub goers with “new, refreshingly Irish” beers. Changing Times’ products, to be expanded early next year, will be stocked initially in the bars of some of its founding members.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
Address Collective Hotel Group Announces New Restaurant Brand, NORTH
Hospitality Ireland – 17.10.2024
The Address Collective, a family-owned Irish hotel group, has announced the launch of its new restaurant brand, NORTH, across its portfolio, following a ‘significant investment’. The brand has now been introduced at the Address Cork and both the Address Connolly, and Citywest in Dublin. This new expansion follows the debut of NORTH at the Address Glasgow earlier this year and the summer opening of the restaurant at the Address Sligo, bringing the total number of NORTH locations to five across Ireland and Scotland. NORTH will focus on locally sourced seasonable and sustainable ingredients. Its menu is crafted with a strict 50-mile sourcing policy for meats, ensuring ethically sourced Irish produce. This commitment helps reduce the carbon footprint of the restaurant, aligning with the Address Collective’s wider sustainability objectives.
Dillinger's In Ranelagh To Close After 15 Years
Hospitality Ireland – 16.10.2024
Popular Dublin restaurant Dillinger's is to close its doors after 15 years. The restaurant is well known in Ranelagh for its unique approach to American-style dining with meats cooked over coal and exotic cocktails. Dillinger's is owned by John Farrell, a restaurateur who has been behind some of Dublin’s most popular restaurants including The Butcher Grill, 777 and Super Miss Sue. In 2009, Dillinger’s was the first restaurant he opened, on the site of what had been Dylan McGrath’s Michelin-starred Mint.
Casual Dining / Contract Catering Sector
Honey Truffle lands catering contract at Iconic Ballybunion Golf
Hotel & Restaurant Times – 30.10.2024
Members and visitors at the world famous Ballybunion Golf Club are set for a delicious new food experience after the awarding of the catering contract to local specialists, Truffle Honey The Kilgarvan-based company already manages the food offerings at two other globally renowned golf clubs in Kerry, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and Tralee Golf Club since 2020 and 2023 respectively. Truffle Honey was founded in 2015 by Mike and Collette Hayes who are dedicated to providing the highest quality private chef and personalised dining experiences across Ireland.
Sysco and ABP launch regenerative farming project
Irish Farmer Journal – 17.10.2024
Sysco Ireland and ABP have launched a five-year sustainable farming project into regenerative farming methods. The Regen initiative, which aims to share the learnings to benefit the wider farming industry, will follow Tipperary farmer Aoibhín Coady’s journey as she trials a wide range of sustainable agricultural practices. The initiative aims to help combat the effects of climate change, while highlighting the processes and benefits of farmers and continuing to produce high quality beef. Throughout the project, results will be scientifically measured and verified by a panel of independent experts.