Bewley's plans to open twelve new cafes in a five-year strategic plan announced today.
New development costs will be partly funded by the sale of the company’s leasehold interest in its Mary Street premises in Dublin. Terms of the Mary Street deal were not disclosed.
According to Mr Dan Cronin, chief executive of Campbell Bewley Group, "We are targeting a range of new opportunities which will allow Bewley's to capitalise further on the growth of modern day café and coffee culture both in Ireland and abroad."
He said modern trends in Ireland reflect those abroad where quality, convenience and accessibility are the key factors consumers decide on when making a hot beverage or food purchase.
Reflecting these trends, Bewley's twelve year old café in Mary Street will close its doors at the end of March 2002. Staff at Mary Street will continue their employment with the company.
The company's flagship cafés at Grafton Street and Westmoreland Street in Dublin will continue to be upgraded, the group said.
Bewley's international expansion to date has primarily been into the United States with the purchase of Rebecca's Cafés in 1997, followed in 2000 by Java City and parts of Wall Street Deli in 2001.
The Group's US activity now incorporates 70 cafés and a coffee roasting facility.