O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars
Encyclopedia
Sandwich bar
A sandwich bar is a restaurant or take-away food shop that primarily sells sandwiches....
chain founded in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
in 1988 by Brody Sweeney
Brody Sweeney
Brody Sweeney is an Irish businessman, known for founding O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars which went into Liquidation in October 2009. The Irish business was subsequently bought from the liquidator by Abrakebabra Investments Ltd. Prior to that he was involved with the franchise Prontoprint before...
. As of October 2009, O'Briens was operated by Irish fast food chain Abrakebabra
Abrakebabra
Abrakebabra is an Irish fast food restaurant franchise chain owned by Abrakebabra Investments, established in 1982.When the first Abrakebabra restaurant was opened in Rathmines in Dublin, it attracted a young market because of its late opening hours and novel menu including kebabs and taco fries.In...
.
Foundations
In 1988, Irish businessman, Brody SweeneyBrody Sweeney
Brody Sweeney is an Irish businessman, known for founding O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars which went into Liquidation in October 2009. The Irish business was subsequently bought from the liquidator by Abrakebabra Investments Ltd. Prior to that he was involved with the franchise Prontoprint before...
set up his first sandwich shop in Dublin. He chose the name O'Brien’s because it was the most common name in the phone book and he wanted a very common Irish surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
in the event of expansion overseas.
Initially only in Ireland, the chain is now operating over 300 sandwich bars in Australia, China, Denmark, United Kingdom, Gibraltar, India, Indonesia, Bahrain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Restaurants
The layout of the sandwich bar follows a particular pattern. In many cases there are no tables or chairs and take-away is the only option. Outlets are usually single storey. Outdoor seating is sometimes offered.Several different breads are available, including rolls and two types of wraps. If eaten in-store, crisps are served with the sandwich. Fillings include a range of meats, cheese, vegetables and sauces.
Irish employment law broken
In November 2008, Sweeney acknowledged that the company had not complied with rules on Sunday premiums before an intensive campaign by the National Employment Rights Authority in the catering industry.Restructure
In June 2009, the company announced that its UK business went into administration, and in July 2009, the Irish business entered examinershipExaminership
Examinership is a process in Irish law whereby the protection of the Court is obtained to assist the survival of a company. It allows a company to restructure with the approval of the High Court....
. The court was told the chain would close an unspecified number of its 85 stores in Ireland to ease its debt of more than €4 million. On 7 October 2009, it was announced O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars, which employs 800 people in Ireland, had gone into liquidation
Liquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...
. The franchise was sold to Abrakebabra
Abrakebabra
Abrakebabra is an Irish fast food restaurant franchise chain owned by Abrakebabra Investments, established in 1982.When the first Abrakebabra restaurant was opened in Rathmines in Dublin, it attracted a young market because of its late opening hours and novel menu including kebabs and taco fries.In...
.