Sweeney back in charge at O’Brien’s

THE founder of O’Brien’s Sandwich Bars, Brody Sweeney, has assumed the position of chief executive in the group following the departure of Fiachra Nagle from the top job.

Sweeney denied any rift. Nagle has declined to comment. O’Brien’s has been hit by the recession and 2008 is the first time in 20 years that like for like sales will decline.

Sweeney also confirmed that the slowdown has forced the group to cut prices in an effort to keep the business healthy.

Apart from competitive pressures the group is engaged in a legal battle with former franchises who have broken away from the group.

“We had to take the court cases. It is the very heart of the franchise to be able to enforce non compete clauses”, he said.

He has also written to the Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan requesting her to change the law that requires workers to be paid more for working Sundays. Having to pay out extra for Sunday work could put up to 60 jobs on the line, he said.