COTHÚ - COMING SOON!
Flagship Store, Kiosks, Traditional Retail, Food Trucks, Pop-Ups, Markets & Expos
An opportunity to be part of a co-operative, community-led initiative
Cothú
Nutrition | Sustenance | Nourishment
Cothú is the Irish word for nutrition and sustenance — and it perfectly reflects the ethos behind this newest chapter of our journey.
Follow Cothú via our Instagram page for all updates and the official launch date.
The Origins of Cothú
Cothú has been born from lived experience — shaped by what we have learned directly from our customers at markets, through online feedback, and from our original café venture.
In August 2012, we opened a 10-day Pop-Up Café, which due to overwhelming demand remained open under a two-year lease. This café became Ireland’s first coeliac-safe, gluten-free café and deli.
When the lease expired, rent increases and first-floor access made the location commercially unviable at the time. As a result, the café closed — but the vision did not.
Adapting, Surviving & Growing
In 2014, we moved into a co-operative leased commercial kitchen initiative in Farranfore, Co. Kerry. Unfortunately, the kitchen operator later went into liquidation, leaving us without a production facility.
At this point, the business returned to its roots. Production moved to a registered home kitchen, fully approved and registered with the Environmental Health Office, where trading has continued ever since.
Through market stalls and online platforms, the project has grown organically year after year — driven by customer trust, demand and community support.
Business Structure & Registration
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Cothú is fully registered in Ireland with the CRO
Company Registration No. 716235 -
Cothú is independently supported by The Gluten Free Kitchen Company Ltd
Company Registration No. 533347 -
This entity is separate and distinct from the original Gluten Free Kitchen Company brand
(Reg. No. 461278)
Central Production Kitchen – Next Phase
The Gluten Free Kitchen Company Ltd is currently awaiting funding approval to open a Central Production Kitchen in Co. Kerry, secured through a Local Enterprise Initiative.
This facility will service:
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Existing contracts
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Retail and wholesale growth
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The new Cothú project
Funding for this phase will be introduced through:
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Personal savings & capital investment
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Business Expansion Grant Aid
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Strategic partnership investment
Food Truck Project – Ready to Launch
We also have a Food Truck Project ready for launch.
Our trucks are:
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Custom-built in Ireland
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Produced by an Irish manufacturer
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Ready to be wrapped, kitted out and operational once the Central Production Kitchen is fully funded and operational
Brand Licensing & Co-Operative Opportunity
The Food Truck Project operates under an independent brand-licensing model, similar to a franchise.
This allows:
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Independent business owners to trade under the Cothú brand
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Full operational independence
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Support from our HQ Brand Development & Business Management Team
Entry investment:
From €12,500 ex. VAT, plus brand licensing fees
This opportunity allows partners to work for themselves — but not by themselves.
Retail & Kiosk Opportunities
In addition to food trucks, we have developed:
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Retail formats
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Kiosk models
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A co-operative business opportunity for start-up partners
Looking Ahead
We have already:
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Established a nationwide customer base
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Built strong brand recognition
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Developed scalable, sustainable business models
Full financial projections are available, and scheduled Zoom calls can be arranged to discuss this opportunity in detail
Investment & Partnership Opportunity
The Cothú Project Pitch is currently welcoming expressions of interest from potential investors and strategic partners and is now ready to progress to launch phase.
If you feel aligned with the vision and would like to explore becoming part of the Cothú team through investment or partnership, please schedule an initial Zoom conversation via our Contact Form.
Our financial team has prepared full financial projections, informed by over a decade of sole trading performance. These projections are available to view once initial introduction discussions have begun.
Our New Central Production Kitchen
A Central Production Kitchen, owned and operated by The Gluten Free Kitchen Company Ltd, will service:
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Existing and future contracts
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Hospitality and wholesale supply
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Market stalls and food festivals
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The Cothú Project
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Additional services currently in development, including a co-working kitchen initiative for small start-ups
This facility represents a key operational and growth milestone for the wider group.
The Gluten Free Kitchen Company – Background
The Gluten Free Kitchen Company was founded in 2011 by Doireann Barrett, beginning as a market stall offering high-quality, artisan, handmade food products — naturally free from gluten, wheat, rye, oats and barley.
In 2012, Doireann opened Ireland’s first dedicated gluten-free and coeliac-safe café and deli, created specifically to serve the Free From and Allergen communities.
From 2013 onwards, the brand secured places on multiple EU- and bank-funded business programmes, supporting the development and expansion of its food and wellness projects.
Today, the brand has evolved into a multi-award-winning food and wellness business, supplying:
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Artisan made-to-order food products
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Market stalls, food festivals and events
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Cafés and restaurants
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A growing range of clean-living wellness products
Products are available via our online store, at food-stall events, and through direct order by email or telephone.
The Next Phase – Cothú
The Gluten Free Kitchen Company is currently raising capital to:
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Open the Central Production Kitchen
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Expand into Food Trucks under the Cothú brand
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Enable scalable growth as part of the next stage of the wider GFKC project
Throughout the year, we can be found at pop-up events, food festivals, market stalls and expos across Ireland.
Cothú represents a new and exciting food addition to the brand — rooted in lived experience, community need and sustainable growth.
If you would like to Pre Order from our Existing Offering for Collection please contact us via our Ordering Form! Subject to Availability.