A touch of Ireland in the UK
20 March 2003 by Kathy Bowry
O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar, which is just about to open its 100th UK branch, is targeting 500 outlets worldwide by 2005. The concept combines thick bread sandwiches, typically made to order, with what founder and managing director Brody Sweeney describes as the "Irish Factor", referring to the established attractions of his country's pubs, music and culture.
Sweeney says that the concept is based on hard-won operating experience: "eventually, I ran out of mistakes to make and since selling the first franchise in 1994, I've never looked back," he says. Typical start-up costs range from £90,000 to £240,000
O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar
