A trusted proposition

A successful franchise means that the business model is proven, and consumers know what to expect. Offering everything from salads to sushi, there are a myriad of food franchises available to retailers today that can enhance their businesses if they are the right fit

Brand Central

24 August 2022

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For those looking to fulfil consumer demand for choice, quality and familiarity in the food-to-go space, franchises have become part and parcel of the convenience offering in recent years. A busy forecourt can accommodate multiple franchises under the one roof to create a food court effect that boasts everything from coffee to salads to fast food options.

Many standalone convenience stores across Ireland have also demonstrated just how well they can thrive within the foodservice space, and a franchise offering with fantastic flavours that offers something a little different from the norm can really help a store to attract new ‘foodie’ customers, and those who are keen to spice up their day with a fresh and tasty yet inexpensive meal. For retailers looking to kick-start a new business venture, a franchise model with a respected brand could therefore be the perfect solution, and really help create a name for a store locally.

Franchises offer a number of important advantages for entrepreneurial retailers. Premierline.co.uk advises that franchisees don’t have to build the brand or set up the systems and processes to run the business efficiently. Consumers also expect and receive certain quality levels because of the adherence to the franchise agreement. Training, procedural, process and managerial support are all ongoing, while operating under an established brand with a strong reputation makes profile-raising easier. Here, we highlight some of the most successful franchises on the market today to help you find the best fit for your business.

Pita Pit

Number of outlets: 640 internationally; three in Ireland
Headquarters: Kingston, Canada
Established: 1995, in Ireland since 2018
Offering: Pita Pit is a healthier, better for you, lifestyle brand.
The brand offers an impressive choice of Mediterranean style “fresh grilled flavour filled” pitas, salads, rice bowls, Egg’d and baked wedges. It also offers a delicious range of Yogen Fruz smoothies and frozen yoghurt treats.
Tasty, hot, healthy food prepared by a friendly crew in a cool bright environment. Pita Pit provides convenient, quick service with all food prepared right in front of the customer.
Dine in, click and collect, takeaway and delivery friendly.

Pita Pit is currently focused on development in Europe with restaurants in France, Sweden and Croatia, as well as here in Ireland

Brand story: Pita Pit was established in Canada in 1995 and now operates in 13 countries with over 600 restaurants worldwide. The brand is now focused on development in Europe with restaurants in France, Sweden, Croatia and Ireland. Pita Pit is on a mission to make fast food healthy and bring its “Fresh Thinking, Healthy Eating ” concept to a consumer market who are craving fresh, tasty alternatives to the traditional offerings.

Opening in Ireland in late 2018, Pita Pit now has three stores open here – two in Dublin and one on the M8 in Cork. Pita Pit says it knows that the market loves its offering and that strong revenue and profit goals are achievable for the right people while also being an active and positive contributor to the community. Pita Pit is now ready and looking to grant sub franchises in Ireland.

Brand future: Now firmly established in Ireland, Pita Pit’s plan is to have 60 to 80 restaurants across Ireland over the next seven years by developing a franchisee network across the country. Pita Pit is looking for high energy, passionate, customer focused people who want to be engaged in the full-time, hands-on running of their own business and being an active, positive member of their community.

AIL Group

Number of outlets: Over 100 locations in Ireland

Headquarters: Rathmines, Dublin

Established: 1982

Offering: Abrakebabra, Bagel Factory, Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) and O’Briens

Wholesale partner: Musgrave Group

Brand story:

Abrakebabra: ‘Discover Magic Food’

Abrakebabra has been serving up bold, flavourful food for 40 years

Opening its doors for the first time in Rathmines, Dublin in 1982, Abrakebabra is one of Ireland’s leading quick service restaurants known for its magical range of Kebabs, Loaded Fries, Burgers, Baguettes and more. From classics such as the Doner Kebab and Taco Fries to newer innovations like Loaded Fries and Flatbread Kebabs, Abrakebabra has been creating bold, flavourful food for 40 years.

O’Briens: ‘The Moment Makers’

O’Briens is famous for its handcrafted made-to-order signature sandwiches

Established in 1988, O’Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe is an iconic Irish brand with over 100 locations across Ireland, Middle East and Asia. O’Briens’ renowned reputation has been shaped by its famous menu of handcrafted made-to-order signature sandwiches – TripleDeckers, Toasties and Shambos. The brand’s extensive offering also includes a range of seasonal soups, signature salads, breakfast, barista espresso coffee, speciality teas, frappes and a wide selection of freshly baked treats, scones, muffins and patisseries.

Bagel Factory: ‘All Round Goodness’

Bagel Factory offers favourites like the Chicken Caesar bagel served on a selection of all natural, bagel varieties

Founded in 1997 on Endell Street in London, Bagel Factory now has over 50 locations in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Bagel Factory’s extensive menu features many popular bagels, including instant-favourites like the All Day Eggworks, Chicken Caesar, Stars N Stripes and Turkey Club served on a selection of all natural, bagel varieties. The Bagel Factory range also includes barista-style coffee, freshly made juices, delicious soups, and a choice of sweet treats.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK): ‘Best Burger In Town’

Back in 2001, three Kiwis from New Zealand, along with world renowned chef Peter Gordon established the very first GBK location in London changing the burger scene forever.

GBK prides itself on serving a signature variety of hand-crafted chargrilled burgers

Today Gourmet Burger Kitchen continues to grow with five unique restaurants across Leinster.

GBK still prides itself on serving up a signature variety of hand-crafted chargrilled burgers, using 100% Irish prime beef with the freshest ingredients and sauces made from scratch every day in each kitchen.

Brand future:

This year, each of AIL Group’s brands continue to grow and increase their category market share. The company is continuing to open new locations, tailoring each location with solutions that meet the needs of the local consumer. AIL Group says it is always developing new products and concepts that resonate with customers and reliable production methods to keep operations efficient. AIL Group continues to support its network of franchisees and current retail partners including Musgrave Group, Daybreak, Maxol and Londis.

AIL Group’s retail food hall platform, Oasis Of Taste, combines its quick service brands under one retail space, sharing customers, costs and profits has proven itself a hit among customers and franchisees since its introduction in 2017. AIL Group celebrated the successful launch of Oasis Of Taste Dundrum Town Centre earlier this year and the subsequent launches of Oasis Of Taste Northside Shopping Centre and Oasis Of Taste Clarehall Shopping Centre in recent months.

AIL Group reports it plans to continue to lead the way in restaurant franchising and looks forward to the next chapter in an incredible journey.

Zambrero

Number of outlets in Ireland: 12

Headquarters: Sydney, Australia

Established: 2006 in Australia, 2016 in Ireland

Offering: Fresh, healthy, modern Mexican food

Wholesale partner: BWG

Zambrero is Australia’s largest Mexican restaurant franchise. Globally, it has opened over 230 restaurants throughout Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, UK and America. Zambrero produces healthy Mexican inspired food which also helps stop world hunger. For every burrito or bowl purchased within any of its stores, Zambrero thens donate a meal to someone in need. This is done through its Plate 4 Plate initiative, via distribution partners ‘Rise Against Hunger’. It’s a win for your body, mind, soul and taste buds: ‘Feel Good Mex’.

Zambrero has the ambitious plan to donate 1 billion meals by 2025. Thanks to its customers, Zambrero has donated more than 59 million meals around the world since it was founded in 2005 by Dr Sam Prince. Since opening its first restaurant in Ireland in 2016, Zambrero Ireland now has 12 restaurants open across the country with some more additions due to the Zambrero network before the end of 2022.

Brand story: What started as one Mexican restaurant in Canberra Australia, has grown into an international franchise that is more than just a restaurant. Zambrero not only serves fresh modern Mexican food, but also gives customers the feel0good karma of donating a meal to someone in need with every purchase of a burrito or bowl through the Plate 4 Plate programme.

Brand future: Zambrero plans to continue to grow its franchise network in Ireland by engaging with enthusiastic and ambitious franchise partners. In addition, Zambrero International has very ambitious growth plans throughout America and the UK over the next 12-18 months.

Supermac’s

Number of outlets: Over 120

Headquarters: Ballybrit, Galway

Established: 1978

Offering: A range of brands including Supermac’s, Papa Johns, Supersubs and the Moo Parlour

Supermac’s is proud to be Irish and proud to works with over 500 Irish suppliers, as well as supporting over 500 community clubs, events and charities nationwide

Brand story: Supermac’s is Ireland’s largest and fastest-growing indigenous fast food restaurant group. The first Supermac’s opened its doors in 1978 in Main Street, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Since then, Supermac’s has gone from strength to strength employing over 4,500 people nationally, as well as helping to establish over 60 self-employed franchisees. With over 120 restaurants throughout Ireland and aggressive expansion plans, Supermac’s is looking forward to an exciting future!

The company’s success is built on a unique menu, ideally suited to local tastes, using real food and food ingredients sourced locally wherever possible and enhanced by quality in every aspect of the operation. The quality of service is underwritten by Supermac’s staff, who give the restaurants their unique, friendly atmosphere. It is for these reasons that Supermac’s has become the great success story it is and the great franchising opportunity it offers.

To become a franchisee with one of the most exciting and recognisable brands in Ireland, contact franchising manager Jarlath Connolly (jconnolly@supermacs.ie).

Brand future: Continuous change and innovation in every business aspect has been the key ingredient of Supermac’s success. The brand’s ‘always fresh never frozen’ fast food product offerings have been a key differentiator to global fast-food competitors while also allowing Supermac’s to contribute significantly to the agriculture industry in Ireland. The menu has developed greatly over the years but from inception Supermac’s has tried to be different to the normal offering, appealing directly to what customers wanted. The menu is developed by its experienced chefs and tasters and has changed significantly in recent years with the introduction of healthier alternatives, salads and allergen friendly options

Four Star Pizza

Number of outlets: 42 in the Republic of Ireland and 14 in Northern Ireland

Headquarters: Dublin 2

Established: 1986

Offering: A truly authentic pizza experience, using freshly made dough every day and only the best ingredients

Four Star Pizza CEO Colin Hughes says the Irish pizza chain is targeting 45 new stores and 900 jobs in the next three years

Four Star Pizza’s new CEO Colin Hughes has revealed plans to open 45 new stores and create 900 new jobs on the island of Ireland over the next three years.

The Irish-owned pizza chain, established in 1986, currently operates 42 outlets in the Republic of Ireland and 14 in Northern Ireland but Hughes, and a new senior management team, have set their sights on bringing the total number of FSP stores to more than 100 by 2025.

Four Star Pizza is aiming to open an additional 27 stores in the Republic and a further 18 in the north. The proposed timeframe includes the opening of four new stores this year with a further 16 in 2023 and 25 more in 2024.

“Our ultimate goal is for virtually everyone in Ireland, north and south, to have access to a local Four Star Pizza outlet, and the road to achieving that has already started,” Hughes said.

Four Star Pizza enjoyed its best year to date in 2021* and interested parties do not need any previous pizza experience as the brand will provide all the necessary training in food preparation, accounts, customer service, delivery and marketing.

“In just a few months you could own a brand-new business, built around a highly successful model and with all the support you need from a team of business experts to help you to recruit, manage, grow and thrive in your chosen town or city,” Hughes said.

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a Four Star Pizza franchisee can do so on www.fourstarpizza.ie/franchisee-opportunity/ or by sending an introductory email to info@fourstarpizza.ie, or calling the company on 01 7037300.

*(Source: 2021 was a record year for Four Star Pizza in Ireland with a year-on-year sales increase of 21.5%, driven largely by a jump of 25% in online orders made via the company’s own website and app).

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