One café, one head chef, 2018.
It started with Daniel, a head chef and five or six staff, mostly part-time. Now: four cafés, two coffee docks, a bakery, a production kitchen, a food truck and meals for 12 sports teams. Every profit reinvested.
"We put the same attention and care that you would put into a dish going across the table at a Michelin-star restaurant, but in a casual environment."
Daniel McLoughlin, founderDaniel grew up in Blackrock. He trained at Shannon College of Hotel Management, ran food and beverage at Sofitel London, managed the Camellia restaurant at Exclusive Hotels, where he won the Acorn Scholarship, then ran Ego Restaurants and helped Glenroyal open Shoda Market Café in Maynooth before coming home.
His goal was to have his own business before 30. Rocksalt opened in a former music shop in the seaside village in summer 2018, with head chef Conor Prendergast, who is still with us. The ethos was simple: all the touch points of a Michelin-star dining room, but you're having the craic with people, and it's like your friends coming in.
How the line grew.
- 2018
Rocksalt opens in the seaside village of Blackrock, Co. Louth.
- 2019
The team grows, and we create our own coffee blend and food offering.
- 2020
Blackrock extends for more seats. Dundalk opens on Earl Street in February, in an old print house.
- 2021
Takeaway hatches at both cafés. Rocky the food truck gets upgraded. Dundalk FC name us their Official Good Food Partner.
- 2024
Daniel visits the Kenyan farms and auction behind our coffee blend. Our first Carrickmacross café opens in January. Fit Meals launch in SuperValu. Little Rocksalt, our bakery, opens beside the Blackrock café. Best Place to Work at the Louth Business Awards.
- 2025
The Hospitality Hustle podcast is on air. Carrickmacross reopens in September at 41 Main Street, seven days a week. Rocksalt Blackrock is named Dining Experience of the Year at the Louth Business Awards.
- 2026
Little Rocksalt opens in Castlebellingham. A new coffee dock opens inside House Proud, Dundalk. Rocksalt wins Overall Business of the Year and Best Digital Presence at the Louth Business Awards. In November, President Catherine Connolly stops at Rocksalt Carrickmacross for lunch.
