O’Briens Sandwich Bar has launched its third store in Galway, as husband and wife team, Aonghus and Philippa McGuinness, mark their second venture into franchising with the opening of a new outlet on the ground floor of Bothar Irwin on Wednesday 2nd November. The couple are employing a further 10 full and part time local staff to make up their team at this, the 104th outlet for O’Briens in Ireland.

The Galway city outlet opens as the sandwich and coffee bar franchise completes its investment in a new concept store design and menu, offering customers more choice than ever before. As part of the new O’Briens offering, Aonghus and Phillippa are introducing the first O’Briens juice bar to the area featuring real fruit juices and smoothies, which complement the brand’s healthy Guilt Free Food and Low Fat Five options.

With seating for up to 40, including soft seating, the outlet also provides a hot food counter, takeaway service plus a comprehensive office and outside catering service that operates from a preparation unit. This will provide a wide variety of platter options geared towards corporate business and private family occasions for five people upwards. Free refrigerated delivery will take the outside catering to the heart of the Galway community and surrounding hinterland.

Looking for a complete change in direction, Aonghus gave up his career in retail clothing to open their first O’Briens franchise in the Liosban Business Park, and with his wife Phillippa.

“18months ago I decided that I really needed a career change and turned to franchising in search of something totally different,” said Aonghus. “We liked how franchising offered a ready mix of different types of businesses across many sectors that were already well known. Then there is all the support you receive to help you get up and running, instead of having to start from scratch.

“We looked into a number of different options, especially food as we really enjoy cooking and entertaining. O’Briens was already well known to us and the more we looked at it as a viable business opportunity, the more excited we became.

“To top it all, the O’Briens proposition could not be stronger at this time, as the new concept sees specials and seasonal variations added to core menus, guaranteeing our customers an abundant and flexible food offering. While the brand’s focus has always been on healthier choices, it is now introducing a more ethical way of doing business with organic deli dishes and snacks and a coffee blend that includes Fair Trade beans.”

Aonghus and Phillippa have their sights set on operating a multiple franchise business, developing the outside catering business and opening a further store before the end of next year

“This is a vibrant business community with a healthy tourism trade. “We believe Galway is a great place to be doing business.”

The Galway opening comes at an exciting time for O’Briens. Although a brand leader and one of the fastest growing retail franchise chains in many regions, it has now moved away from an understated presence of quality and character to make a bigger, bolder statement. The new concept is the result of much innovative work on food concept development, while building on the many positive perceptions of the brand, such as one of its main point of difference, a made to order offer with food prepared fresh in front of the customer.

As reflected in the Ireland expansion plans which will see eight new outlets open before the end of the year, the new concept is making the O’Briens offer a much more appealing proposition for customers while proving a big hit with existing and new franchisees.

Commenting on the Galway Bothar Irwin opening, Fiacra Nagle, managing director of O’Briens Sandwich Bar IRL said: “Aonghus has really developed his business in Liosban Business Park, and his office and outside catering business has exceeding growth expectations”.

Special discount vouchers are being distributed to shoppers and businesses in the area during the first few weeks of business to give customers the chance to sample the O’Briens offering.