Welcome to the September 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: When Drinks Become the Destination
For years, beverages were viewed as a supporting purchase, but new research from the US National Restaurant Association suggests they are becoming a key growth engine for foodservice operators. The report found that 87% of full-service and 80% of limited-service operators now see beverages as an important driver of traffic and revenue. Demand is being led by Gen Z and millennials, who are increasingly seeking customised, visually appealing and flavour-led drinks, from specialty coffees and smoothies to premium lemonades and alcohol-free options. In China, premium tea chain Chagee has grown to more than 7,000 stores globally by positioning tea as a lifestyle experience rather than a refreshment, blending premium store design, cultural storytelling and beverage rituals. Meanwhile, in the US, Swig has transformed customised "dirty sodas" into a destination category, growing to more than 160 locations and inspiring major restaurant brands to launch their own beverage-focused concepts.
The implications for Irish foodservice operators and suppliers are significant. As consumer spending remains under pressure, beverages offer a relatively low-cost way to drive additional visits, increase spend per transaction and create demand outside traditional meal occasions.
General Industry News
College Football Classic to Boost Tourism Spend
Business Plus – 04.08.2026
More than 14,000 American fans are expected to travel to Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. According to post-event economic impact studies, the first four games in the current series have generated an estimated €514 million for the Irish economy, highlighting the event’s growing importance as a tourism and business platform. Visitors are expected to stay an average of seven nights and visit multiple destinations across the island, supporting accommodation, hospitality and foodservice spending. For Irish foodservice operators and suppliers, the event presents an opportunity to capture increased demand from high-spending international visitors while showcasing Irish food and drink to both consumers and visiting business leaders.
Airport Traffic Reaches New Heights
Hospitality Ireland - 11.08.2026
With 3.8 million passengers travelling through Dublin Airport in July, making it the busiest month in the airport’s history and marking a 16th consecutive month of passenger growth, the figures highlight the continued strength of both inbound tourism and outbound leisure travel. For the foodservice sector, sustained growth in passenger volumes presents opportunities across airport hospitality, travel catering and tourism-linked venues, while also reinforcing the importance of preparing for increased seasonal demand from both international visitors and domestic travellers.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
Value Means More Than Price in QSR
Reuters – 11.08.2026
Consumers are becoming more discerning in how they define value, with convenience, quality, menu innovation and customer experience increasingly influencing dining decisions alongside price. As competition intensifies within Ireland's QSR market, operators that combine value offers with strong execution and differentiated menu propositions appear better positioned to drive repeat visits than those relying on discounting alone. The trend reinforces the importance of delivering a compelling overall customer proposition, rather than competing solely on price.
House Dublin Revives Late-Night Weekends
Drinks Industry Ireland – 04.08.2026
House Dublin has relaunched its late-night weekend offering, welcoming guests until 2.30am every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The relaunch includes live DJs, entertainment acts and new VIP Garden Tables, as the venue looks to strengthen its position within Dublin’s nightlife scene. Research commissioned by House Dublin found strong demand for quality late-night experiences, with many consumers feeling the capital lacks attractive after-hours options. The move highlights ongoing opportunities for hospitality operators that can deliver distinctive entertainment-led experiences and attract customers seeking premium social occasions.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
Hilton Expands Irish Hotel Footprint
Hospitality Ireland – 04.08.2026
Hilton has announced a series of hotel openings, signings and brand launches across Ireland, highlighting continued confidence in the country's tourism and hospitality sector. Recent developments include the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton Dublin City Centre, plans to bring DoubleTree by Hilton to Ashbourne, and the signing of Cork City Centre, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking Hilton's first hotel in Cork. The expansion is expected to create more than 150 jobs and reflects ongoing investment in growing Ireland's accommodation offering for both business and leisure travellers.
Sidekick Opens in Dublin & Galway
Drinks Industry Ireland – 11.08.2026
Sidekick, a new all-day dining concept focused on wing-led comfort food, sharing plates and cocktails, has opened at The Dean Docklands in Dublin and The Dean Galway. Built around American BBQ-inspired flavours, the menu features signature chicken wings, smash burgers, sharing meat platters and a cocktail programme designed to encourage social occasions from lunch through to late-night dining. The concept places a strong emphasis on atmosphere, live music and events, positioning itself as a destination for both casual dining and evening entertainment.
Contract Caterers & Forecourt Convenience
Aramark Delivers for Record Crowds at Croke Park
Business Plus – 06.08.2026
Aramark catered for more than 160,000 supporters across this year’s All-Ireland hurling and football finals at Croke Park, delivering food, beverage and hospitality services across the stadium. Over 1,000 team members supported the operation, serving more than 141,000 beverages alongside a range of match-day favourites and premium hospitality menus showcasing Irish produce. The events highlight the scale of modern contract catering operations and the growing emphasis on delivering high-quality food experiences at major sporting and entertainment venues.
Forecourts Continue Destination Shift
Checkout – 12.08.2026
Maxol has announced a €2.6 million redevelopment of its Dooradoyle service station in Co. Limerick, including a 50% expansion of the site, a new Burger King, an enhanced Maxol Market Deli, the introduction of the Dunnes Stores Simply Better range and a significantly larger seating area. Beyond the investment itself, the project reflects the ongoing transformation of forecourt convenience from a traditional fuel stop into a destination retail and foodservice hub.