Welcome to the October edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.
The line up and agenda for our forthcoming 2022 Irish Foodservice Seminar has been announced!
Speakers include Mick Kelly, Founder of GIY; Catherine Toolan, Managing Director, Diageo Irish Brand Homes, Philip Doran, Managing Director of Hello Fresh Ireland and Maria Castroviejo, Senior Analyst for Rabobank’s Rabo Research Food & Agribusinesses Department.
We will also be sharing findings from our end of year Irish foodservice market and consumer insights report and our panel session will discuss the ever-growing blurring between retail, foodservice and direct to consumer channels.
Full details and the registration are available via our dedicated webpage HERE.
General Industry News
Donohoe confirms the end of tourism’s 9 per cent VAT rate
The Irish Times – 27.09.2022
The tourism industry says it will continue to lobby for a further extension to its special low 9 per cent VAT rate, after the Government confirmed its intention to end the measure as planned at the end of next February, when it will revert to 13.5 per cent. The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the sector’s main lobbying group, said it is a “significant disappointment” that the measure has not been extended.
Euro zone likely entering recession as price rises hit demand
RTE Business – 23.09.2022
The downturn in business activity across the euro zone deepened this month and the economy is likely entering a recession as consumers rein in spending amid a cost of living crisis, a survey shows. Manufacturers were particularly hard hit by high energy costs after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent gas prices rocketing, while the bloc's dominant services industry suffered as consumers stayed at home to save money.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
Pizza giant Domino's is to recruit 1,000 new staff over the coming months.
RTE Business - 26.09.2022
The roles will be both full and part-time and will include in-store workers and contract delivery drivers. The company says it requires the significant increase in staffing as it prepares for the busy festive season and the winter of international football. It estimates around 700,000 pizzas will be ordered during the period. "As we approach a very busy period with international football and the festive peak, we are excited to announce 1,000 new roles with Domino’s across Ireland," said Scott Bush, Domino’s Pizza Group, Ireland CEO.
Ready Chef and Camile Food Group Agree Three-Year Supply Contract
Hospitality Ireland – 09.09.2022
Ready Chef, the Irish market leader in fresh and prepared produce solutions, has announced the signing of a €7 million, three-year supply contract with Camile Food Group. This includes the award-winning Camile Thai restaurant group and their newly launched brand Thindi, offering authentic Indian cuisine. Camile Thai Kitchen CEO, Brody Sweeney, stated, "We are pleased to partner with Ready Chef to supply our restaurants with top quality fresh fruit and prepared vegetables. Working with family-run businesses is our clear preference."
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
New Maldron Hotel Opens on Dublin’s Merrion Road
Hospitality Ireland – 30.09.2022
A new four-star, 140-bedroom Maldron hotel has opened on Dublin’s Merrion Road. The Maldron Hotel Merrion Road is operated by Dalata Hotel Group Plc as part of a unique mixed-use development, which included the construction of 64 apartments, five townhouses, and a basement car park, where the hotel has access to 68 car-parking spaces, offering a discounted parking rate to guests. The seven-storey hotel includes the Grain & Grill restaurant and a Red Bean Roastery.
Flahavan’s Launch “National Porridge Awards 2022” for Hotels
www.hotelandrestauranttimes.ie – 20.09.2022
Flahavan’s has announced details of its inaugural National Porridge Awards 2022. The competition will be open to the Hotel sector this year and has been developed to help shine a light on the wonderful innovative ways hotels can play an important role in putting locally-sourced Irish oats at the heart of their breakfast experience. “The idea of a National Porridge Awards has been on our radar for some time,” said Shane O’Hanrahan, Flahavan’s Foodservice Business Development Manager. “We want to acknowledge the innovative and creative ways hotels’ culinary teams can elevate the breakfast experience for their Irish and international guests by incorporating our world-class Irish wholegrain oats into their breakfast offerings. The time has come to celebrate and reward that effort.”
Casual Dining & Contract Catering Sector
The Guinness Storehouse is awarded Europe’s leading beer tour visitor experience 2022
www.gowildmagazine.com – 03.10.2022
The Guinness Storehouse is officially Europe’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience 2022. The Home of Guinness was announced as the category winner at the World Travel Awards gala ceremony in Mallorca, Spain on Saturday 1st October. This is the first time the Guinness Storehouse has won the Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience award and was the only Irish nominee in the category which this year included The Heineken Experience, Netherlands and The Budweiser Budvar Brewery, Czech Republic. The Guinness Storehouse was previously voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards in 2015.
Deliveroo Ireland Gross Profit Up 75% in 2021
www.businessplus.ie – 21.09.2022
Deliveroo Ireland has credited heightened demand and changes in ordering behaviour caused by Covid-19 for a 75% increase in gross profit last year. The takeaway ordering app made €14.7m in 2021, up from €8.4m a year earlier, while revenues from operations rose 64% year-on-year from €26.3m to €43.2m. Deliveroo employed 10 people across sales, marketing and operations -- its delivery riders are technically self-employed -- compared to 12 the year before. Deliveroo's chief business officer for the UK and Ireland, Carlo Mocci, replaced Caleb Merki as director of the firm in December.