O'Briens to take bite out of sandwich market in London.

(From Irish Independent)

IRISH sandwich bar chain O'Briens set out plans to spread its UK outlets further yesterday, by expanding in the south of England.

O'Briens, which has 100 shops in Ireland and another 130 in the UK, is planning its firstmove into the competitive London market.

High rents have kept O'Briens outside of the M25, although the company said more realistic property prices meant it was now ready to take on the likes of Pret A Manger in the capital.

Brody Sweeney, who set up O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars in 1988, said the next 18 months would see "aggressive expansion", …