Insomnia coffee business wakes up to €1.9m profit

Companies associated with the popular high-street coffee shop chain Insomnia — co-owned by entrepreneur and broadcaster Bobby Kerr — recorded combined profits of €1.93m last year.

The figure is contained in newly-filed accounts for BHJ Holdings — the holding company for a number of subsidiary businesses connected with the chain.

A breakdown of the figures shows that Insomnia Ltd, which is the division in charge of franchise and site investment, made a profit of €554,226 during the year; with Redcoral Catering — the actual Insomnia retail division — making a profit of €245,131.

The group also has a small presence in the UK, but the British business recorded a modest loss — of €53,789 – last year, the accounts show.

Insomnia has grown from a single location in a Galway bookstore in 1997 to an estate of more than 120 coffee shops across standalone high street locations and through partnerships with the likes of Spar/Eurospar, Eason, Fresh, Meadows & Byrne, Heatons, Compass Catering, Debenhams, and Penneys.

In addition, the company has over 300 self-service units in operation, both in Ireland and the UK.

The business is owned equally by Mr Kerr, who acts as chairman; CEO Harry O’Kelly and John Clohisey. Directors’ pay last year increased from €221,577 to €232,250.

Those looking to open franchised Insomnia outlets must have a minimum of €180,000 of investment capital.

The fixed costs include a franchise fee of €15,000, a royalty fee of 6% and a marketing fee of 1%.