Keogh’s Crisps signs UK distribution deal with IB Group’s Bobby’s Foods
Image: Keogh's Crisps
Irish brand Keogh’s Crisps has signed with UK distributor Bobby’s Foods to supply up to 20,000 stores nationwide. The distribution deal with the IB Group member will see the crisps fly the flag for Ireland in an ever emerging market for the brand, expanding their stockists to a wide range of UK convenience stores such as Co-op, Costcutter and Nisa.
First to launch in Bobby’s Foods will be three, well loved classics from their range – Atlantic Sea Salt & Irish Cider Vinegar, Mature Irish Cheese and Onion, and Irish Atlantic Sea Salt. Grown and hand-cooked in small batches from ‘crop to crisp’on the family farm in North County Dublin, Keogh’s Crisps’ innovative flavours include a variety of unique and exciting combinations, with distinct local Irish influence, representing the very best of their homeland’s artisan suppliers. Salt is harvested from the wild Atlantic Ocean on the West Coast of Ireland and the vinegars are sourced from David Llewellyn’s orchard local to the Keogh’s family farm.
A relatively new player, Keogh’s Crisps has already won a collection of awards including 22 Great Taste Awards, winner of the Irish Exporters Association’s prestigious ‘Exporter of the Year’ award, as well as a second win as ‘Food & Drink Exporter of the Year 2022’, proving the business is set to go from success to success here in the UK.
Growing up on the Keogh family farm where generations of Keoghs farmed potatoes, 2011 saw CEO Tom Keogh take the family business to the next level creating the Keogh’s Crisps Brand, “I saw huge potential to produce an authentic Irish potato product that would travel and hence Keogh’s Crisps was born. Internationally the Irish potato, Ireland’s strong agricultural roots and the green fertile land all lend to the quality of the end product.”
Testament to this is the fact that Keogh’s Crisps is now available in 17 markets worldwide including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Switzerland to name a few. Equally, international airlines have adopted the brand on-board serving Keogh’s Crisps around the world on Ryanair’s 3000+ daily flights across Europe and a recent contract win with Singapore Airlines, not to mention their crisps being served on Emirates first-class.
The Keogh’s Crisps business has developed a strong reputation as innovators in the Irish food market, being the first food producer to be accredited as a carbon neutral business. This approach to mother nature is intrinsic to everything Keogh’s does.
Ireland is the home of several iconic brands that are renowned worldwide, including Kerrygold, Jameson and Guinness, and now, Keogh’s Crisps is on track to join the ranks of these hero Irish brands. Commenting on the recent deal, Tom Keogh is looking to the future and is excited to bring the brand to more of the mass market, “More British consumers than ever before will now be able to experience the delicious flavours of Keogh’s Crisps, thanks to our partnership with Bobby’s Food. This is a huge milestone and supports our vision of bringing the high-quality produce of Keogh’s farm to households worldwide. Growing up on the family farm, it was always a dream to be able to sell our products overseas.”
With solid inroads made over the last 10 years, the growth of Keogh’s Crisps in international markets is one to watch. One thing that is certain, the brand will stay true to its authentic family roots keeping it from ‘crop to crisp’.