The Red Hot Chili Feckers

Ka-feckin’-CHING!

here’s gold in them there dills, and no mistake, as the Flynnstones record another annual leap in Happy Pear revenue.

Not that the lads don’t deserve such success, given that they certainly walk the talk.

With their foodie empire expanding by the year, revenue in 2018 is up 22%, giving Flynn & Flynn Global Trade Ltd revenue totalling €9.96m.

Expansion meant that the company actually had an increase last year in post-tax losses, increasing by 16% to €672,970. Finance director at the Happy Pear, Paul Murphy, told The Irish Times, “We would expect 2019 revenues to be broadly consistent with 2018. We have made strong improvements in profitability in 2019, and expect to be earnings positive for the year.

“The company embarked on a number of large scale projects in 2018, which continued in 2019, with lasting positive impact to the company’s profitability, growth and environmental credentials.”

Or, to put it another way, we’re busy planting more and more seeds, and the harvest is going to be feckin’ massive.

With a new outlet opening this year at Dublin Airport (in partnership with international food service operate HMSHost), the Pear gang now have four outlets (the others being two in Greystones, and one charity case in Clondalkin). There’s also the little matter of launching new products through Musgrave (the SuperValu gang) and independent store channels, and distribution in the UK through Waitrose. There was a 37% growth in top-line sales, and the twins’ online courses channel more than doubled sales.

Currently employing 121 people, The Happy Pear also operates its own-brand food manufacturing and distribution business, and a services business providing corporate health and wellness talks and events. There’s also those three best-selling cookbooks, and over a million followers on social media.

The company’s five directors last year shared €336,994 in moolah, with the shareholders fund standing at €230,607 at the end of 2018. With all those seeds being planted, the Flynn & Flynn Global Global Trade Ltd’s cash pile shrank from €254,510 to €181,236, while its directors were owed a total of €114,578 in loans.

Collection boxes are now being placed at each of their Greystones outlets over the Christmas season. Please give ginormously.