The Irish arm of the sandwich chain O’Briens has been bought out of liquidation by Impless, a newly formed subsidiary of Irish fast food group Abrakebabra Investments (AIL).

The chain, which was put into examinership – the equivalent to administration in the UK – in July this year, was put into liquidation in early October, after attempts to sell the business failed.

Paul McCann of Grant Thornton, the official liquidator, confirmed the trade and assets, including the brand of O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Bars, had now been sold to Impless.

The AIL Restaurant Group is owned in partnership by entrepreneur Graeme Beere and promoter Denis Desmond. In a statement, the pair said they had always respected O’Briens as a brand and were “delighted to put this well-known Irish brand back on a solid financial footing”.

O’Briens comprised 85 franchised outlets in Ireland, but AIL would not confirm whether any stores had been closed.

For the full story see the next issue of British Baker, out 6 November