Ireland’s fast-food scene is booming, with burgers leading the charge. Recent footfall data reveals a sector buzzing with activity and significant growth potential. Burgers dominate, capturing over a third of all foot traffic in Irish chains, a trend reinforced by a robust 7.8% increase in traffic between 2023 and 2024.
Coffee and pizza shops follow, but the data reveals a deeper story: a 5% surge in overall fast-food visits in Ireland during Q4 2024 compared to the previous year. This growth signifies increased customer frequency, with burger and pizza categories showing a 2% or greater like-for-like (L4L) growth per store.
This Irish appetite for fast food sharply contrasts with the UK, where the sector stagnated in 2024 and experienced L4L sales declines. This divergence is likely due to Ireland’s stronger consumer spending, which rose 4% compared to the UK’s 1%, according to Trading Economics. This economic buoyancy fuels Ireland’s quick-service dining sector.
While burgers and pizza drive the most growth, other segments, including chicken, bakery/sandwich, and ethnic cuisines, also contribute to the sector’s overall expansion.
This dynamic landscape presents both opportunities and challenges. The growing burger segment and the emerging potential of chicken chains offer fertile ground for innovation. However, success depends on understanding evolving consumer behaviour and traffic patterns. As Maria Vanifatova, CEO of Meaningful Vision Ltd, notes, ‘The Irish fast-food market, with its high outlet density and evolving daypart trends, presents a dynamic mix of opportunities and challenges.”
Read more on the trends and consumer behaviour in Ireland in our report.
