An examination of the operating hours employed across Ireland’s foodservice industry, including all segments, from cities to rural areas, reveals interesting differences reflecting a combination of regional preferences, competition in the marketplace, and the effects of actions taken by the regulatory authorities.
Meaningful Vision tracks the top 70, 000 international and nationwide chains, providing detailed comparative analyses across foodservice in Ireland, the UK, France, and Germany. Compiled data reveals the broad patterns and illuminates the influential local and national trends, providing businesses valuable insights into the operating hours of their competitors.
Fast Food: The 24-Hour Divide
While average working hours across Ireland hover at around 12-13 hours, the prevalence of 24-hour establishments varies by region. Cork and Dublin lead, with roughly 6% of their stores operating round-the-clock, catering to late-night demand fuelled by nightlife and shift work.
Despite having the longest average working day at 13.13 hours, Belfast has a smaller proportion of 24-hour stores at only 1.72%. Typically, late-night fast-food demand is concentrated in the larger urban centres.
Opening times also reveal subtle differences. Belfast opens earliest, on average, at 9:14am, perhaps catering to early commuters. Cork and Dublin open a little after 10am, while other regions in Ireland open slightly later, around 10:25am. Closing times are uniformly at around 10:00 PM.
Pizza: A Different Slice
QS Pizza restaurants across Ireland, by contrast with the burger and chicken shop market, are notably lacking in 24-hour operations. Average working hours range considerably, from 13.11 hours in Belfast, to just 9.2 hours in Cork, suggesting quite different operational strategies and demand levels.
Opening times also vary significantly. Belfast opens earliest, on average, at 11:20 am, targeting the late morning/lunch crowd. Dublin and other regions open in the early afternoon, while Cork stands out with the latest average opening time of 2:26pm, with an obvious focus on evening and dinner demand. Closing times vary less dramatically, with Belfast closing latest at 12:27am and Cork closing earliest at 11:36pm.
Coffee Shops: Morning Rush and Evening Fade
An analysis of Coffee shop opening hours reveal a unique set of trends. 24-hour operations are limited, primarily concentrated in Dublin. Belfast boasts the longest average working hours (11.81), while other regions lag significantly behind (10.19).
Opening times are generally similar across regions, between 7:27am and 8:03am, catering to the morning rush. Closing times, however, show noticeable variations. Belfast coffee shops close latest, on average at 7:15pm, by comparison with the average earliest close at 6:14pm in suburban areas.
Casual Dining: Consistent Yet Varied
Casual dining restaurants exhibit a relatively consistent average open for business time of around 10 hours. Dublin leads slightly with 10.16 hours, while Cork trails slightly behind with 9.6 hours.
Restaurants generally open around mid-day with closing times varying slightly reflecting local dining habits. The absence of 24-hour casual dining establishments is notable, a result of limited late-night demand. Cork restaurants tend to close marginally earlier (9:24pm) than Dublin (9:48pm) and Belfast (9:42pm).
Bakeries & Sandwich Shops: A Mixed Bag
Bakeries and sandwich shops show varied operating hours. 24-hour operations are limited, with only a small percentage of stores in Belfast and "Other Ireland" offering round-the-clock service. Cork and Dublin have no 24-hour bakery/sandwich shops.
Belfast leads in average working hours (10.53), while Dublin has the shortest (9.94). Opening times differ, with Belfast opening earliest (8:18 AM) and "Other Ireland" opening latest (9:00am). Closing times also vary, with Cork closing last (7:09pm) and Dublin closing earliest (6:28pm).
Pubs: Licensing and Late Nights
Pub operating hours are strongly influenced by licensing regulations. Belfast pubs operate significantly longer hours (14.50 average) than other regions, while Dublin operates the shortest days (10.63 average) and opens much later (12:01pm). The lack of 24-hour pubs reflects licensing restrictions and less demand for all-night drinking outside of special occasions.
Opening times vary noticeably. Cork pubs open earliest (8:37am), followed by Belfast (9:10am). Closing times also show some variation, with Belfast closing latest (11:40pm) and Cork closing earliest (9:45pm).
A Tapestry of Influences
Meaningful Vision’s analysis of Ireland's foodservice industry reveals a number of factors influencing business operating hours. Demand patterns, economic conditions, operating costs, staffing availability, and licensing regulations all play a role.
Understanding these regional nuances is paramount for foodservice operators. Analysing local demographics, competition, and event schedules can provide further insights. Success can depend on adapting to local needs and preferences, and on offering the right service, at the right time.
This article was written in partnership with Meaningful Vision.
