Jobnet Ireland

Keep on Trucking
Glen Doyle looks at the success of Mother Hubbards Truck Stops and Restaurants
 

Mother Hubbards Truck Stops and Restaurants are welcome sights on some of Ireland's major road arteries. They offer every possible convenience for the weary driver or passenger, from free parking and shower facilities to good, reasonably priced food. Oh, and access to money also, as their services include a Banklink machine. They have three major outlets, at Moyvalley, near Kinnegad, at Cashel, and at Kilcolgan in Galway. They all seat over 100 people, and thus can cater for large coach parties. Hours of business are from early morning until 11pm.

Started in 1972, originally Mother Hubbards consisted of a caravan and serving hatch, where an Australian used to serve truck drivers on the old road between Enfield and Kinnegad. He sold the business to Mayo man John Healy in 1990, who further developed it with a purpose built restaurant at Moy Valley, and truck parking facilities. In 1995 Paddy Sweeney bought the business, and he extended the original building to twice its size.

John Ball, Human Resources Manager of Mother Hubbard's, says that the company is constantly growing, and a new outlet in Oranmore will open in early December. And Mother Hubbard's is also about to unveil an outlet in Larkin's Cross in Wexford, in early January. "Oranmore in particular is a bit of a new departure, because as well as a truck stop and self-service restaurant, there's also a country pub. On the other hand, all of our outlets are not completely homogeneous. In Moyvalley for instance, as well as the restaurants, banklink machines, parking and shower facilities, there's also a barber shop."

Ball says that the company hires trained and fully skilled people, as well as those just starting out in the catering industry. "A company like Mother Hubbards can provide a lot of opportunities," he says, "because we're constantly growing. We want satisfied employees, that's why we help get them qualified in their trade, and let them pick up skills and trick of the trade as they go along."

Ball emphasises the service philosophy behind the company's success. "Our motto is, 'Great food worth stopping for', and we bear in mind that we're hopefully not just an unavoidable stop for people, we want business travellers, truckers, families, coach parties and weekend travellers to welcome the sight of one of our outlets, to know they're going to get friendly, value-oriented restaurant service and break facilities."
 

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