Bewley’s sells UK business to long-term partner Cafédirect

Deal is underpinned by a long-term agreement for Bewley’s to exclusively manufacture and supply all Cafédirect’s retail product

Bewley’s has sold its UK business operations to long-term partner and customer Cafédirect.

Cafédirect started as a pioneering social enterprise 32 years ago to improve the lives of smallholder farmers and to champion better ways of doing business and are a leading brand in the UK at-home coffee market. It will now take over the Bewley’s business to grow its out-of-home footprint.

The deal is underpinned by a long-term agreement for Bewley’s to exclusively manufacture and supply all Cafédirect’s retail product.

“We are particularly happy to be handing our UK business over to Cafédirect. I have personally worked with the team there for many years and know they share our values,” said Bewley’s Tea & Coffee managing director Jason Doyle. “Like Bewley’s, they are renowned for their ethical work practices, working with producers to provide a better future for growers and their families.

“As our relationship has grown over 15 years, it has become apparent that we are strategically placed to assist each other with our separate long-term goals.

“This leaves the Irish team to really focus on changibrand,e face of Bewley’s in Ireland, where we are constantly innovating and investing in our team, our brand and our manufacturing facility.”

said Cafédirect CEO John Steel added: “As a long-term partner of Bewley’s we are incredibly honoured to take over their UK business and also to future-proof our coffee supply with a long-term agreement with Bewley’s in Ireland.

“We have always enjoyed a very close relationship with the Bewley’s team and business and a key reason for this is that, amongst other things, we share a lot of common values across both of our businesses.”

Doyle added that Bewley’s has had a strong performance in the Irish market in 2023.