How PREM Group Ireland cut hotel procurement costs and boosted efficiency
PREM Group Ireland operates 10 properties across Ireland, including seven hotels and three serviced apartment locations, in a sector where margins are tight, cost pressures are constant and guest expectations continue to rise. To take control of procurement spend, improve supplier quality and free up its hotel and catering teams to focus on hospitality, PREM Group Ireland works with Avendra International. This case study explores how that partnership has delivered supplier consolidation, digital procurement efficiencies worth approximately €36,000 per year in system licence savings alone, and a culinary innovation programme that is redefining the guest food experience across the group.
Client Snapshot
Client: PREM Group Ireland
Sector: Hospitality: hotels and serviced apartments; Ireland, UK and Europe
Properties: 10 properties in Ireland: 7 hotels and 3 Premier Suites serviced apartment locations
Challenge: Managing rising procurement costs across a diverse multi-property portfolio while freeing hotel and catering teams from time-consuming supplier administration, allergen compliance and sustainability reporting
Solution: Strategic procurement partnership with Avendra International, including supplier consolidation, managed tenders, the Avendra Pi digital procurement platform, culinary innovation support from Avendra's Head of Culinary and dedicated account management
Results: 18–20% savings on toiletry product category through product swap; €36,000 per year in system licence savings through Avendra Pi; improved protein quality and pricing following a managed blind tasting and supplier consolidation exercise; reduced supplier base and delivery frequency supporting sustainability goals
About PREM Group Ireland
PREM Group is a prominent international hospitality company, managing and operating hotels and serviced apartments across Ireland, the UK and Europe. In Ireland, the group currently operates 10 properties, including 7 hotels and 3 serviced apartment locations, under its ‘Premier Suites’ brand.
Leading the Irish operations is Paul Dempsey, Chief Operating Officer, who is responsible for maintaining operational excellence and delivering on the group’s commercial and guest satisfaction goals.
To help achieve this, PREM Group Ireland works Avendra International and is supported by long-time account manager Brian Williams.
Paul shares, “We’re a people business. Our biggest cost is payroll but procurement is a close second. When you’re dealing with tight margins and rising prices, you need a system and a team you can trust. That’s exactly what we’ve got with Avendra International.”
The challenge: managing hotel procurement costs across a multi-property portfolio
In recent years, inflationary pressures have put additional strain on profit margins. With a diverse portfolio of hotels operating seven days a week, Paul and his team needed a way to manage rising costs while also freeing up chefs and managers to focus on what matters most; the guest experience.
Paul explains, “I’ve seen it too often where chefs are pulled in a million directions, running kitchens, managing teams, dealing with suppliers, checking invoices. It’s just not sustainable. Procurement alone is a full-time job, so expecting our people to take that on while maintaining high standards isn’t realistic. That’s where Avendra International has really stepped up.”
Maintaining control over supplier pricing, ensuring up-to-date allergen and nutritional data, and meeting ever-growing sustainability expectations were also key priorities.
Adds Paul, “Request for Proposals (RFPs) today often include carbon reporting and sustainability criteria. We knew we needed to tighten up our supply chain visibility to meet those expectations and stay competitive, and Avendra International enables us to achieve this with ease.”
Building a strategic hotel procurement partnership that delivers real results
To address these challenges, PREM Group Ireland partners with Avendra International to transform its procurement approach. This collaboration combines expert, hands-on support with the simplicity and efficiency of Pi - Avendra International’s digital procurement platform.
Together, they deliver a practical, high-impact solution that balances local service with cutting-edge digital tools.
One of the most significant areas of improvement has been supplier consolidation. Working together, Avendra International and PREM have reduced the supplier base in key categories such as meat, dry goods, and vegetables.
This has delivered not only pricing benefits but also supported PREM’s sustainability goals by minimising deliveries and reducing transport emissions. Paul recalls a particularly effective protein project, where four butchers were invited to take part in a blind tasting,
He explains, “We ran a full tasting exercise and put the results against our pricing data. That led us to select one supplier group-wide and the results have been fantastic. We’ve not only improved the quality, but benefited from better pricing and less admin.”
Cost savings have also come from product swaps in other areas, such as transitioning from single-use toiletry cartridges to pump systems across the hotel bedrooms.
“It was a simple switch,” Paul confirmed. “But we’ve saved around 18 to 20 percent on those products. It just shows the value of having someone like Brian in your corner, spotting those opportunities.”
Digital procurement for hotels: how Avendra Pi system saves time, reduces errors and cuts licence costs
Avendra International’s digital procurement platform Pi has become a key tool for PREM’s teams. Designed to simplify and streamline ordering, invoicing, menu management and more, Pi enables hotel teams to manage procurement from a single, integrated system.
In fact, for Paul, it’s been a game-changer: “Pi is one of the best systems I’ve worked with. It’s intuitive, efficient and it saves our chefs a massive amount of time. They can easily build shopping baskets using agreed products and see live pricing.”
Pi also introduced a new level of financial and operational control for PREM. Automated invoice capture flags pricing discrepancies, while the team is now preparing to roll out allergen and nutritional tracking features; something Paul says will be essential moving forward.
“Pi gives us the level of transparency and assurance we need when operating and managing multiple sites,” says Paul. “And the fact that it’s included in our partnership, when a similar system could cost €3,500-€4,000 per property per year, is a serious bonus. So, we’re saving around €36,000 a year on system licence fees alone, in addition to all the wrap-around services and additional savings provided by Avendra International.”
Beyond procurement: culinary expertise that adds value
Culinary innovation is another area where the partnership has delivered. Avendra International’s Head of Culinary, Paul Bloxham, has supported PREM with creative menu development and trend-led food concepts, including a Guinness-proofed pizza dough recipe for The Hoban Hotel’s outdoor dining offer.
Paul explains, “Paul Bloxham is brilliant. He speaks the language of chefs. He knows the pressure they’re under and brings ideas that are realistic and exciting. Our GM loved the Guinness dough - it turned into something really different that set us apart.”
Paul Bloxham is now working with other hotels in the group, including Viking Hotel in Waterford, to help refresh menus and introduce new ideas.
Continues Paul, “It’s like having a development chef in your back pocket; that kind of support just isn’t something you usually get from a procurement partner.”
Dedicated account management: proactive, on-the-ground hospitality procurement support
Regular face-to-face and virtual engagement helps keep the relationship dynamic. Quarterly review meetings, regional supplier showcase events (including a recent session at Croke Park), and virtual sessions help bring chefs and GMs together to share feedback, explore new suppliers and identify further opportunities.
For day-to-day support and when issues arise, the PREM team knows it can rely on Avendra International’s account management.
“Brian’s fantastic,” says Paul. “He used to work with us at the Osprey and really understands what matters to us. Whether it’s a supply issue, a pricing question or a new project — he’s there, he listens, he’s proactive and he gets things moving.”
Beyond cost savings: sustainability, compliance and operational freedom
For Paul, the benefits of working with Avendra International go far beyond cost savings, even though those have been substantial.
Paul shares, “We’ve seen savings across protein, consumables, linen and drinks. We’ve also improved the quality of what we buy and streamlined the way our teams work.”
Just as importantly, it’s freed up time for staff to focus on delivering exceptional hospitality.
He reflects, “Procurement can be hugely time-consuming and stressful. When you take that diversion or pressure away, you let people do what they’re best at: serving guests, leading teams, running kitchens.”
Avendra also supports PREM’s wider goals around sustainability, compliance and digital transformation.
“The next generation of guests, and corporate clients, are asking the right questions about sustainability,” says Paul. “Being able to show you’ve got robust systems and supply chain standards in place is going to become non-negotiable.”
A hospitality procurement partnership built on trust, results and shared ambition
The partnership between PREM Group Ireland and Avendra International is built on shared goals, practical solutions and a genuine commitment to delivering quality but at the best value. From improving gross margins to inspiring new food experiences, the relationship continues to evolve with technology, insight and people truly at its core.
Paul continues: “As a business, you’ve got to ask – can I do this better myself, or am I better off bringing in someone with scale, systems and expertise? For us, the answer is clear.”
And for other hospitality businesses considering a similar move? “My advice is simple: give the Avendra International team your purchasing data. They will do a free audit and show you where the savings are. If savings can be made, brilliant, and then all of the other services they provide are just the icing on the cake. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
Reduce your hotel procurement costs, speak to our experts today
Contact our team to discover how Avendra International can help you drive savings and streamline operations: hello_UK@avendra.com.
FAQs
How can hotels and hospitality groups reduce procurement costs without disrupting operations?
Avendra International helps hotels and hospitality groups reduce procurement costs through supplier consolidation, ongoing price benchmarking, strategic sourcing and the collective buying power of its Group Purchasing Organisation (GPO). By reducing the number of suppliers across food, beverages, consumables and other key categories, operators benefit from improved pricing, fewer deliveries and less administrative burden.
Avendra also identifies cost-saving opportunities, such as product alternatives and sourcing strategies, providing clear pricing comparisons and market insight so hotels can make informed purchasing decisions without compromising quality or the guest experience.
What is the Pi eProcurement platform and is it included as part of an Avendra procurement partnership?
Pi is Avendra International's cloud-based eProcurement platform, designed to help hotels and hospitality businesses simplify purchasing and improve operational efficiency. It brings together online ordering, automated invoice capture, menu and recipe management, allergen and nutritional information, waste and stock management, spend reporting and supplier management in one integrated system. Pi also integrates with existing EPOS systems, providing real-time visibility into purchasing trends, pricing and supplier performance.
For Avendra International clients, Pi is included as part of the procurement partnership, giving operators access to powerful digital procurement tools without the cost and complexity of implementing a standalone procurement platform.
How does Avendra International help hospitality businesses achieve their sustainability goals?
Avendra International helps hospitality businesses achieve their sustainability goals through responsible procurement, supplier collaboration and digital tools that improve supply chain visibility. By supporting supplier consolidation, reducing delivery frequency and promoting responsible sourcing, Avendra helps operators improve operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
The Pi platform also includes tools that support carbon tracking and allergen management, helping operators monitor sustainability data, improve transparency and support their wider environmental objectives.
Can Avendra International support hotels with culinary innovation and menu development?
Yes. Avendra International helps hotels stay ahead of emerging food and beverage trends through in-house culinary expertise, supplier collaboration, resources such as Avendra Edge and culinary trend guides. These guides provide expert insight into changing consumer preferences, seasonal menu inspiration, product innovation and practical ideas to help hospitality operators keep their menus fresh and relevant.
Where appropriate, Avendra also supports menu development through supplier collaboration, product tastings and culinary expertise. By combining procurement expertise with culinary insight, hotels can enhance their food offering, make informed purchasing decisions and create memorable dining experiences while maximising the value of their procurement strategy.
How can a procurement review help hotels identify cost-saving opportunities?
Avendra International offers a complimentary procurement review to help hotels understand where they could improve purchasing efficiency and reduce costs. The team works with each business to review current procurement practices, benchmark opportunities and identify areas where greater value may be achieved across food, beverage and non-food categories.
The review provides practical, evidence-based recommendations that help hospitality operators make informed procurement decisions, improve operational efficiency and explore opportunities to strengthen their procurement strategy, with no obligation to proceed.
