Romayo’s takeout chain creates 45 new jobs to counteract the Covid-19 recession

A growing appetite for takeout meals during the pandemic has helped a family-owned restaurant business overcome the Covid-19 crisis to create 45 new jobs.

Growing demand among Irish families for takeout meals has encouraged Romayo’s to open three new outlets in suburban Dublin.

The chain currently employs 280 people at 19 facilities in Dublin, Meath, Offaly and Kildare.

Established as Macari’s potato chip shops in 1959, the company changed its name to Romayo’s in 2012 when it shifted its focus to diner-based food.

Central to its operations is having a fresh food storage and distribution headquarters at Rosemount Business Park in the capital.

Romayo Managing Director Dominic Macari said the strategic decision to develop its home delivery services at the turn of the century has left the company in a good position to adapt to changing customer habits during health emergencies.

“We have focused heavily on establishing a home delivery service for the past 20 years, which has paid off for the business during the current situation,” he said.

“In the current Covid-19 climate, people have returned to the businesses that they knew growing up and are comfortable with.

“As a result, we have discovered that the people who grew up in our original areas when they were young are now leading the customer base as we expand into new suburbs of the capital.”

Macari works with her four children in the business. He said all 45 jobs will be created over the next 12 months.

“It’s unusual to talk about expansion during these difficult times for everyone, especially those with restaurant businesses,” he said.

“However, we always like to have a long-term vision and we are confident that Ireland will fully recover from the current situation.”