O’Brien’s 100th outlet will have room for 250 customers

SANDWICH chain O’Brien’s will pass a major milestone in Cork this week when it opens its 100th Irish outlet at the Mahon Point Shopping Centre.

O’Brien’s founder Brodie Sweeney said the Mahon Point Sandwich Bar would be the biggest in the company’s history, with room for more than 250 customers, and marked the latest stage in its plan to open 1,000 outlets around the world.

Mahon Point will be O’Brien’s 10th store in the Cork area, with a further two openings planned in the year ahead. The company operates 270 shops in 13 countries and hosted its annual get-together for O’Brien’s franchise holders from around the world in Dublin’s Mansion House over the weekend.

Mr O’Brien said sandwich sales had been “reasonable but not great” last year, with sales growth of 5% year-on-year, but expected a pick-up in the year ahead.

The chain will extend its product range to include specialist juices, healthier options such as organically-produced meat and new styles of sandwich to broaden its appeal to customers. He predicted sales would top €100 million this year.