Dew Valley Foods, the cooked bacon manufacturer based in Thurles, Co Tipperary, is a supplier to McDonald’s 96 restaurants across the Republic of Ireland.

Having launched over 30 years ago as a small family butchers, Dew Valley’s operation has evolved into a state-of-the-art processing plant, supplying some of the world’s most recognisable food brands.

Over the course of its long-standing relationship with McDonald’s spanning 13 years, Dew Valley Foods has expanded its product lines, improved its facilities and continued to invest in innovation and resilience to meet standards and demands.

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Dew Valley supplies 100% Irish pork to all McDonald’s restaurant in the Republic of Ireland, sourced exclusively from farms accredited under Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance Scheme.

Dew Valley Foods’ growth over the past decade stands as a clear example of how partnerships can support regional economic development. With an increase in headcount linked directly to the McDonald’s business, the company directly supports 400 jobs.

This impact extends beyond its own workforce. The business creates secondary employment across the likes of haulage, maintenance, packaging and engineering.

The collaboration between McDonald’s and Dew Valley Foods sits within a broader national context.

McDonald’s contributes over €400m to the Irish economy every year, which is a reflection of how deeply integrated McDonald’s is within the national economic fabric.

McDonald’s contributes over €240m to Ireland each year by purchasing beef, chicken, eggs and dairy products, making it a major supporter of the country’s agri-food sector.

Over recent years, Dew Valley Foods and McDonald’s have worked closely to reduce salt, sugar and saturated fat levels in its bacon products, reflecting both companies’ long-standing commitment to responsible menu development.

Dew Valley’s technical teams have put a strong focus on refining curing processes, adjusting cooking methods in order to optimise both flavour and nutritional value.

The result is a product that meets high nutritional standards, while delivering the taste profile McDonald’s customers expect.

A landmark moment in 2024 was the commissioning of Dew Valley’s new 25-acre solar farm. The installation now provides up to 40% of the company’s total energy requirements during non-winter months, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and insulating the business from volatile energy prices.

Dew Valley Foods continues to evaluate and improve its waste-reduction systems, water-usage efficiencies and packaging materials.

The company’s sustainability roadmap aligns closely with McDonald’s own global targets, which include achieving net-zero emissions and ensuring resilient sourcing across all agricultural supply chains.

For McDonald’s, having trusted partners capable of delivering certified, reliable produce is essential to meeting those goals.

For Dew Valley, the alignment strengthens its competitive position and supports long-term operational resilience.