'Cork has been our most requested site': Oakberry Açaí opens first Munster store in Cork City
Managing director and co-founder of Oakberry Ireland, Nick Twomey.
Oakberry Ireland, a health-focused fast food chain specialising in açaí bowls and smoothies, will open its first Munster store in Cork City today.
Located on Oliver Plunkett Street in the city centre, the store will be serving up vegan and gluten-free açaí bowls, signature smoothies, and handcrafted coffees in what is the brand’s 14th store in Ireland since 2023.
Franchise owners Nick Twomey and Cian O’Donoghue have built a loyal following with multiple high-performing locations and plan to exceed 18 stores nationwide by next summer.
The brand’s flagship Dublin store on South Anne Street retains the title of Europe’s top-performing Oakberry store, and managing director and co-founder of Oakberry Ireland, Nick Twomey, is excited to see if the people of Cork will have the same appetite.
Speaking to the Twomey said Cork has been one of the most requested sites since opening the doors of the first store in Dublin.
“Our social media team are inundated with people on Instagram and TikTok asking literally every day, ‘When are you coming to Cork?’. So, it was always one that we knew we had to do,” he said.
“We had one girl who got on to the social media page to ask what time was our Kildare Village store closing because she was on her way from Cork to get an açaí bowl, so, with little things like that we started to see that there was definitely a big demand for Oakberry to come to Cork so we’re super excited to launch in Cork and we’re hoping the demand will match the demand we’re seeing online.”
Twomey spoke about how he first stumbled upon the Oakberry brand on social media back in 2020 and went on to become the master franchise holder of Oakberry Ireland after realising just how popular açaí was becoming in the country.
“Açaí is a very popular topic at the moment. A lot of people are swapping out things like the pubs for meeting friends over an açaí bowl or a matcha from one of our stores, so it’s become extremely popular due to the health benefits, and then obviously it tastes good as well,” he said.
Speaking about what açaí is, for those who may not be familiar with the craze, he said: “Açaí is a very small fruit that looks like a blueberry. It packs an incredible punch nutrient-wise. It’s full of healthy vitamins, it’s got healthy fats, polyphenols, anti-oxidants, it’s really good for cognitive function, for your skin, for your hair and things like that so you’re getting all these amazing benefits from it.”
Twomey explained that the açaí is then topped with 100% natural toppings – peanut butter, granola, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit – which are offered unlimitedly.
Speaking about the growth in popularity that açaí bowls have seen in recent years, particularly here in Ireland, Twomey said: “A lot of people are swapping out things like the pubs for meeting friends and getting an açaí bowl or a matcha or something like that from one of our stores.
It’s become extremely popular due to the health benefits and then obviously it tastes amazing as well.
Twomey said he is excited to get Oakberry into people’s hands in Cork and to get their reaction and feedback.
To mark today’s opening on Oliver Plunkett Street, customers will be served by Cork All-Star legend and Munster hurler of the year Brian Hayes from 11am.
