The number of stores in Ireland’s quick service market increased in Q2 2026, by 1.1% year on year, according to our data from the Meaningful Vision Market Intelligence System.
Store expansion is being led by new brands entering and existing chains are adding capacity, although some more established formats are declining.
The Q2 store growth picture shows:
- Ethnic fast food recorded the strongest growth, with store numbers up 13.2%.
- Quick service chicken followed with 10.0% store growth, confirming the category as one of the most active areas of Ireland’s fast food market.
- Burger and pizza both grew by 0.6%, showing more modest expansion.
- Coffee shops declined by 0.7%, while bakery and sandwich shop numbers fell by 2.0%.
- Across the total QSR market, store numbers increased by 1.1% year on year.
Growth is not being spread evenly across all formats. It is being driven by categories where new brands are entering, existing chains are expanding and consumer demand is shifting towards lunch, afternoon and early evening occasions.
Across the quarter, 26 stores were opened by 17 chains. Three new international chains entered the Irish market in Q2: two in the quick service chicken segment and one in coffee. Popeyes, Joe and The Juice and Dave’s Hot Chicken opened their first stores in Dublin.
German Doner Kebab, Taco Bell and Wendy’s, which entered the market earlier, added more stores to their Irish portfolios. Other established brands, including Apache Pizza, Esquires, Insomnia Coffee Company, Auntie Anne’s, McDonald’s and Nando’s, also increased their store numbers.
International brands are continuing to conquer the Irish market. Chicken and Ethnic fast-food, coffee and bakeries – these are the segments where local and established international players may expect more competition.
As the Irish market is relatively small even one store can have an impact on the market. And store growth figures also help to understand traffic trends. Chicken and ethnic fast food are the fastest growing. In both categories, expansion is supporting demand, but it also raises pressure on existing operators to understand whether new brands are growing the market or taking visits from nearby competitors.
Maria Vanifatova
CEO, Meaningful Vision
Foodservice market intelligence and location strategy