Introducing Cafolla’s Wexford
For over 15 years, George and Marianna have been at the helm of Cafolla’s Wexford, carrying forward a legacy that spans more than four decades. Known for their mouthwatering burgers, crispy chicken, and fresh fish and chips, this family-run takeaway is a staple in the local community. They’ve kept the famous Marini family rissole recipe a closely guarded secret while continuously delivering top-quality, locally sourced food made fresh on-site.
We spoke with them about their journey, their favorite Kepak products, and the key role that Kepak’s support has played in their success. As long-time partners of Kepak, Cafolla’s has embraced innovation while staying true to its roots. From digital menu boards that enhance customer experience to their involvement in the Food Alliance Program , they’ve maximised every opportunity to grow their business.
Let’s start with the history of Caffola’s.
The Caffola’s name has been around nearly 50 years, but we’re not part of the original crew. We bought the business 15 years ago and kept the name and everything else, including the famous “Rissoles” (a Wexford delicacy made from mashed chips, oil, herbs, and bread or batter, then fried). You probably don’t get them up much in Dublin but they’re a staple of Wexford cuisine.
So, you took over 15 years ago, and you’ve been working with Kepak & Big Al’s ever since?
When we bought the place, the original owners were already working with Kepak, and we decided to stick with them. We’ve added more products over time, but when we first took over, there were probably only half of the menu items that were from Kepak. But after we tried them, we knew we had to have more.
“Now, I think we’re at around 90% of our menu that’s Kepak products.”
Give us an example of some of the products that you use that are especially popular.
For the kids’ menu, we have Chicken Tenders and Chicken Nuggets, which are a must-have. Then we have Chicken Fillet burgers, Crispy Shredded Chicken, Ribsteak, and of course the Prime Burger and Angus Burger. The latest addition to our menu is the Chipotle Chicken Tulips.
What’s your personal favourite?
My personal favourite is the Crispy Shredded Chicken. We use it in our spice box and it’s super popular.
You work really closely with Jim on our team. Tell us more about what kind of support you get from Jim and the wider Kepak team.
“Jim is our rock.”
He’s always there for us, never says no, and he provides us with everything we need. The team behind him is also amazing. They help us with posters, promotional material, and even our menu boards.
Tell us more about the menu board screens. How long have you been using the digital screens? And what are the benefits over the older traditional printed menu boards?
We’ve had digital menu board screens for almost a decade now. We’ve upgraded the screens twice to get the latest and greatest.
“One of the best things about the new screens is how easy it is to change the prices and menu options.”
Our customers love not having to stare at the same screen all the time. We recently got some help from your team to upload the Halloween and Christmas menu offers and designs. All we had to do was ask Jim for them, and they were there the next morning! The team in Kepak then take them down after the holiday when the offers are over – we don’t even have to lift a finger to get the benefits.
Caffola’s are part of our Food Alliance program. Can you tell us about the benefits you get from that for the store?
George (Marianna’s husband) is the mastermind behind our Food Alliance strategy. He uses the app regularly, takes advantage of points for Plays, redeems prizes, and tries to get as many offers as possible. He’s really maximizing what we can get out of the platform for the store’s benefit.
Have you ever won one of the big prizes through Food Alliance?
Yes, we’ve won two! A few years ago, we won a 3-day trip to Lapland And last year, we won a €500 voucher for Aer Lingus, which we used to take another holiday that was amazing.
Thanks to Cafolla’s for Sharing Their Journey
From serving up some of Wexford’s best burgers and crispy chicken to embracing digital innovations and maximizing the benefits of the Food Alliance program, George and Marianna have turned Cafolla’s Wexford into a thriving, community-focused takeaway. Their long-standing partnership with Kepak has helped them deliver top-quality food while staying ahead of industry trends, and their collaboration with Jim and the wider team has made menu management and promotions seamless.
If you’re a food business looking to grow, streamline operations, and unlock exclusive rewards—just like Cafolla’s Wexford—check out the Food Alliance Program today. Join a network of operators who are taking their business to the next level with expert support, valuable incentives, and top-quality products.
To find out more about Caffola’s Wexford click Here
