Welcome to the October Edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter
The agenda and speaker line up for our 2026 Foodservice Seminar has now been finalised and our online registration is now open!
The theme for this year's event is Turning Disruption into Opportunity and we're delighted to be joined (amongst others) by keynote speaker Raphael La Rue, Chief Creative Officer & Partner at Livit Design (Designing the Future of Foodservice); and Tom Keogh, Founder and Managing Director of Keogh's Farm (who will share Lessons Learned ).
We will be publishing findings from our end of year Foodservice Market Insights report, quantifying the size of the market by sector and forecasting developments for 2027.
Bord Bia client companies should register via their My Bord Bia account at this link. All other contacts should register via this link.
Monthly Spotlight: The Proof is in the Process
As consumers become more curious about what is in their food and where it comes from, leading foodservice brands are moving beyond traditional sourcing claims and inviting customers behind the curtain. McDonald’s UK & Ireland recently launched “The Counter”, a Shoreditch pop-up where visitors could meet farmers and suppliers, inspect the British and Irish beef used in its burgers, and even make their own patties, turning provenance into a hands-on experience. Meanwhile, Chipotle continues to differentiate itself through its long-running “Food with Integrity” platform and Real Foodprint tool, which allows customers to explore sourcing standards and understand the environmental impact of their order. Another standout example is Sweetgreen, which has built its brand around ingredient transparency, regularly spotlighting farmers and supply chain partners while making sourcing stories a core part of the customer experience. For Irish foodservice operators and suppliers, the message is clear: transparency is no longer just about providing information, but about creating engaging experiences that build trust, strengthen brand affinity and make quality credentials more tangible and memorable.
General Industry News
Irish Menu Pricing Faces a Customer Value Test
Meaningful Vision – 14.09.2026
While retail grocery inflation in Ireland eased to below 1% in June 2026, menu prices across foodservice continue to rise, with casual dining and fast food prices increasing by around 3.6% year on year. Meaningful Vision data shows restaurants recorded the strongest price growth at 4.4%, while coffee shops saw the lowest increase at 2.8%, reflecting differing cost pressures across the sector. Rising labour, energy and occupancy costs continue to impact operators despite the return of the 9% hospitality VAT rate in July. For Irish foodservice businesses and suppliers, the key challenge will be balancing necessary price increases with maintaining a strong value perception among increasingly cost-conscious consumers.
US Tourist Demand Softens
RTÉ News - 01.10.2026
Ireland’s tourism industry is growing increasingly concerned about a slowdown in North American visitors, with CSO data showing both arrivals and spending from the region declined in August. While overall visitor numbers remain positive year-to-date, industry leaders warn that sustained weakness in this high-spending market could affect tourism performance into 2027. The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation is calling for measures to boost competitiveness, including extending the 9% VAT rate to visitor attractions, camping sites and adventure operators, alongside greater investment in accommodation capacity. For foodservice, the trend underscores the sector’s continued reliance on overseas visitors, particularly in regional areas where tourism spend is a key driver of hospitality demand.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
McDonald's Unveils €7.4bn Franchisee Support Plan
RTÉ News – 23.09.2026
McDonald’s has unveiled an $8.5 billion franchisee support package alongside its long-term “NEXT” growth strategy, focused on restaurant modernisation, operational efficiency, AI-enabled technology and menu innovation. The company also highlighted continued pressure on customer traffic as inflation remains elevated. For the Irish QSR sector, the announcement signals the direction of travel for global quick-service operators, with increased investment in digital ordering, AI, productivity improvements and more flexible menu offerings becoming key competitive differentiators in a challenging consumer environment.
Support Package Announced for Rural Pubs
The Journal – 06.10.2026
The Government has allocated €15 million to support the sustainability of rural pubs, with Tánaiste Simon Harris announcing plans to develop a targeted assistance scheme aimed at helping keep rural pubs viable and maintaining their role within local communities. While details are still being finalised, the proposal is expected to include measures such as a keg rebate scheme, subject to further development and regulatory review. Industry representatives, including the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, welcomed the funding as a positive step for the sector, which continues to face significant cost pressures and declining pub numbers. The initiative reflects growing recognition of the economic and social importance of rural hospitality businesses, while debate continues over how support should be structured and whether similar measures should extend to urban pubs.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
Georgina Campbell Awards Honour Hospitality Excellence
RTÉ News – 22.09.2026
Ireland’s leading hotels, restaurants and hospitality operators were recognised at the 2026 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards, announced at a gala lunch in Dublin. Headline winners included Lough Eske Castle (5-Star Hotel of the Year), Ómós Guesthouse & Restaurant (Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year), Wade Murphy of 1826 Adare (Chef of the Year) and The Hawthorn by Galway Bay (Newcomer of the Year). Now in their fourth decade, the awards are Ireland’s longest-running independent hospitality awards, celebrating excellence in accommodation, dining and visitor experiences across the country. Full details of the 2026 winners are available here.
Rural Restaurant Success Built on Place & Provenance
Monocle – 01.10.2026
Newly opened Ómós in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois highlights how restaurants can create destination appeal by combining local sourcing, distinctive guest experiences and a strong sense of Irish identity. Chef Cúán Greene’s restaurant and guesthouse centres on ingredients grown on-site or sourced nearby, while its design showcases Irish makers, artisans and craftsmanship throughout the property. Its arrival comes as Abbeyleix continues to strengthen its reputation as a food destination, with local restaurant Bramley recently named Best Restaurant in Leinster at the Irish Restaurant Awards. Together, these examples demonstrate how a focus on provenance, storytelling and authentic hospitality can help restaurants attract visitors, differentiate their offering and build lasting connections with local communities.
Contract Caterers & Coffee Shops
BWG Expands Foodservice Footprint Across Ireland
Hospitality Ireland – 16.09.2026
BWG Foods has announced four new foodservice locations across Dublin, Carlow and Limerick through its O’Briens Café, Bagel Factory, Abrakebabra and Oasis of Taste brands, creating more than 100 jobs. The expansion forms part of the group’s strategy to grow in commuter, community and high-footfall locations, supported by a franchise network that currently employs over 1,200 people nationwide. With annual sales across its foodservice portfolio projected to exceed €50 million, the investment highlights continued confidence in convenience-led dining formats and the growing importance of multi-brand foodservice concepts in meeting changing consumer demand.
Historic Italian Coffee Brand Opens First Irish Outlet
Limerick Leader – 09.09.2026
Limerick has welcomed Ireland's first Caffè Vergnano 1882, creating eight new jobs in the city centre. The traditional Italian coffee bar, opened by local businessman Shane Gleeson, occupies a unit on Catherine Street that was previously operated as his family's general store. Developed in partnership with Italy's oldest coffee roaster, founded in Turin in 1882, the compact café has been designed to mirror the authentic layout and operating model of traditional Italian coffee bars. The opening reflects continued growth in Ireland's premium coffee market, with international brands targeting consumers seeking more authentic, experience-led café offerings.