The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread – Ireland’s Top Bakery Brands

There is truly nothing better – or more versatile – than bread.

The staple has had a turbulent decade popularity-wise, falling out of health trends in the 2010s with the rise of low-carb diets and increased concerns about gluten.

But recently it has been making its way back – though it never strayed too far from Irish baskets.

These brands are a testament to consistency and have solidified their positions as the top Bakery brands in Ireland.

Bakery products in the 2023 Checkout Top 100 Brands, in association with NIQ, have swapped between third and fourth in recent years, and this year it lands at the number 4 spot.

Published every August, the Checkout Top 100 Brands is based on branded value sales across the Irish grocery sector, making it the most accurate barometer of the biggest-selling brands in the marketplace.

In compiling the report, NIQ Ireland measures the sales performance of over 5,000 brands from over 200 product classes.

1. Brennan’s

Ireland’s most popular bread remains as the top bread brand for another year. In the overall brand rankings it holds 6th place overall, maintaining its position for a third consecutive year.

Down from its most recent high of third place in 2018, Brennan’s’ commitment to quality has saved it from ever falling too far. Though not where it once was, it remains a steady presence in the top 10 brands.

2. Irish Pride

The second most popular bakery brand, and 17^th brand overall is Irish Pride. One of the largest bakeries in Ireland with 23 depots located across the country and over 2,000 deliveries made every day to retail partners, it has remained a favourite for Irish shoppers.

The logo is a familiar one to many households, and the bakery has worked hard to maintain standards. For them, it’s a matter of pride.

3. Fitzgerald’s

The fastest growing bakery in Ireland, Fitzgerald’s combines traditional methods with modern thinking to ensure constant innovation paired with high standards. Among the most versatile on this list, its products include bagels, wraps, bake at home French and Italian breads, pittas, naan breads and pizza bases.

Having been passed down through generations, Fitzgerald’s Bakery has continued to grow impressively in recent years despite challenging times.

4. JM O’Brien

Also known as Johnston, Mooney and O’Brien, this brand sits comfortably at number 4 and has moved up in overall rankings by 3 places to 35. One of Ireland’s oldest brands, JM O’Brien has remained impressively consistent in recent years never straying far from the halfway point in Top 100 Brands.

It currently stands 10 places ahead of its 2018 position of 45.

5. Pat The Baker

One of the most recognisable Irish brand names. Who could forget their signature song? A testament to quality, consistency and reliability – qualities that Pat The Baker say underpin the brand – it has landed at a very solid number 42 in the top brands overall.

According to the brand, “We are producing freshly made baked goods of exceptional quality each day, to meet with the needs of our customers. We work hard to deliver on expectations, so you can always rely on us.”

Now moving on to product development, Pat The Baker hopes to expand its offering while maintaining the reliable product they have come to be so respected for.

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