Hand cut sandwich and gourmet coffee franchise, O’Briens Sandwich Bars, is gearing up for a busy year ahead with plans to open 50 new stores, adding to its global portfolio of more than 300 outlets and growing. A market leader in Ireland and Scotland, the brand is building on the success of its new concept design and menu introduced across Ireland and UK, just over a year ago.

Commenting on the market and the success of O’Briens, chief executive officer, Fiacra Nagle, said: “We see a strong future for the sandwich franchise, particularly as consumers demand healthier, fresh food, coupled with convenience. That is especially good news for the industry, not least of all O’Briens as we prepare to replicate our market leader status across Ireland and the UK.

“Our brand goes from strength to strength thanks to strong investment in food concept research and development, ensuring we maintain innovative and appealing products and an approach that stands out from the crowd. The flexibility of our new concept menu with its seasonal options and elements that can be tailored to fit outlet size and local demand is good news for our customers and franchise partners alike.”

While O’Briens’ main point of difference remains made to order fresh, quality, healthy food prepared in front of the customer along with its core offer of branded sandwiches - ToostiesR, WrapposR, tripledeckersTM and ShambosTM - customers are given even more choice than ever before. There is a wide variety of new products and seasonal menus, juice bars, gourmet coffees and Fairtrade tea, organic deli snacks, freshly baked products, speciality soups and tossed salads.

Through a programme of market research, O’Briens has also been focusing on developing its catering offer, which takes the concept beyond the retail setting nationwide and opens up a revenue stream that significantly increases turnover for the franchise partner. Research and development is nearing completion with a new offer set for launch across the UK this winter.