Esquires Coffee opens first company-operated Irish stores
Originally published by BusinessPlus
By: George Morahan
Barry Gardner, general manager and Brendan Duigenan, managing director of Esquires – (Pic: David Creedon)
Esquires – The Organic Coffee Co has opened its first company-operated locations in Ireland, marking a significant strategic move beyond its traditional franchise model.
The four new outlets are located at Dairygold Co-op Superstores in Midleton, Mallow and Carrigaline in Cork and Raheen, Co Limerick and were first announced last December.
They will be wholly operated and managed by Esquires Coffee Ireland as the company introduces a combined growth model that incorporates both franchise and company-operated stores.
“We’re very excited about this strategic evolution in our business model,” said Brendan Duigenan, managing director of Esquires Coffee Ireland.
“While franchising remains a core part of our growth, these new company-operated stores allow us to enhance our direct connection with customers and communities as we continue expanding our brand across the country.”
Dairygold's retail business operates 26 stores across Munster under the Co-Op Superstores brand.
The wider Dairygold group is one of Ireland's leading farmer-owned co-operatives with dairy, nutritionals and agri businesses that employ over 1,300 people in total.
Brian Taylor, retail area manager at Dairygold Co-Op Superstores, commented on the opening, saying: “We are very excited to welcome four new Esquire Cafes in our Co-Op Superstores branches in Raheen, Mallow, Midleton and Carrigaline.
"This partnership with Esquires demonstrates our shared values of being at the heart of local communities."
Founded in Ireland in 2001, boutique coffeehouse chain Esquires Coffee now has 18 locations nationwide, stocking 100% organic and Fairtrade-certified coffee.
Esquires is part of the international Esquires Coffee brand, originally founded in Canada in 1993.
The Irish operations are owned by Cooks Coffee Company, a New Zealand-based enterprise overseeing the brand’s global development.
Accounts for Esquires Coffee Houses Ireland Ltd show the company has net liabilities of €27,100 at the end of March 2024 after making an annual profit of €306,200.
Sales at Esquires Irish stores increased by 11% last year to NZ$19.9m (€11.1m) despite a fire at the Longford store and refurbishment at the café in Swords, Co Dublin.
Photo: Barry Gardner, general manager and Brendan Duigenan, managing director of Esquires – The Organic Coffee Co (Pic: David Creedon)