Pat Quinn (businessman)
Pat Quinn | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Cloone, County Leitrim, Ireland |
| Died | November 23, 2009 (aged 74) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, publican, hotel owner, music event organizer |
| Known for | Founder of Quinnsworth supermarket chain, creator of the phrase "yellow pack" |
Pat Quinn (1 July 1935 – 23 November 2009) was a notable Irish entrepreneur known for his roles as a publican, hotel owner, music event organizer, and the creator of the Quinnsworth supermarket chain—recognized as Ireland's pioneering large-scale supermarket group, now integrated into Tesco Ireland. He is credited with originating the phrase "yellow pack". Described by The Irish Times as "one of the most prominent business personalities in Ireland during the 1960s and 1970s" and "the prodigy of the Irish grocery sector," Quinn eventually relocated with his family to Toronto, where he remained influential within the Irish-Canadian circles. The Toronto Sun referred to him as "County Leitrim's favourite son."
Early life
Quinn was born on 1 July 1935 in Cloone, County Leitrim, into a family involved in retail and public services; his mother managed McNamee's pub and grocery shop, while his father was a member of the Garda Síochána. The family also provided funeral services. He pursued his education at St. Mel's College in County Longford.
Woolworths and family enterprise
Starting his career as a stock assistant at Woolworths in Limerick, Quinn advanced rapidly to become store manager by the age of 22. In 1958, alongside his uncle Peter Quinn, he established Quinn Co on Main Street in Longford.
Music event promotion
Throughout the 1960s, Quinn was active in promoting musical performances across Ireland, hosting shows at Quinn County that featured artists such as Joe Dolan, The Drifters, and the Royal Showband. It was at one of these events in 1960 that he met Anne, who would become his wife. Expanding his promotional activities to Canada, he organized concerts for major acts including The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, The Dave Clark Five, The Dubliners, Roy Orbison, and The Supremes. Significantly, he was responsible for bringing the Rolling Stones to North America in 1965; their inaugural concert in London, Ontario, however, led to a disturbance requiring police involvement.
H. Williams and establishment of Quinnsworth
Returning to Ireland in 1965, Quinn took on the role of general manager for the H Williams supermarket group. When the company declined to open a store in Dublin's new Stillorgan Shopping Centre, he seized the opportunity to launch his own supermarket, Quinnsworth, there in December 1966—drawing inspiration from Woolworths' model. Quinn and his wife personally oversaw store operations after closing hours. Within five years, he expanded the brand to six outlets with annual sales reaching £6 million.
Quinn opted against paying £1,000 to hire football star George Best for a store opening event, choosing instead to donate that amount to charity, confident that his own reputation would suffice for promotion.
Competitors
Quinnsworth’s primary rivals included Irish supermarket chains such as Dunnes Stores and Superquinn, with the latter undergoing rebranding to prevent confusion with Quinnsworth.
Divestment
In the early 1970s, Quinn sold Quinnsworth to Galen Weston's Associated British Foods, achieving millionaire status by age 36. At the time of sale, the chain had locations in Crumlin, Ballymun, Dundrum, Rathfarnham, Douglas, Wilton, Galway, and Shannon.
Marketing approach and personal branding
Quinn appeared personally in marketing campaigns and became known for wearing a white polo neck jumper—a distinctive fashion choice emblematic of the late 1960s—which contributed significantly to the brand’s image.
Hospitality enterprises
In addition to his retail ventures, Quinn expanded into the hospitality sector by acquiring establishments such as the Dead Man's Inn (which closed in 1975) and Mooneys, the latter eventually entering receivership. He undertook the development of a hotel and sports facility in Kilternan with the intention of introducing upscale leisure amenities; however, these ambitions were thwarted by the 1973 oil crisis. The Pat Quinn Club became widely recognized as a significant commercial failure.
Quinn also inaugurated three pool halls located in Rathmines, Bray, and Drogheda, alongside initiating an executive coach service tailored for corporate travelers. His portfolio further included discount outlets in Ballymun and Finglas, Ringsend's Pierrot snooker club, and the Shoparound Centre on South Great George's Street.
The Shoparound Centre ceased operations in early 1986 following disappointing sales during the 1985 Christmas season. Confronted with Ireland’s economic downturn, Quinn relocated to Toronto that same year.
Subsequent years
Upon arriving in Canada, Quinn initially sold books and snack foods before opening his inaugural bar in 2001. His family gained recognition for their ownership of several Toronto dining and pub establishments, including the "Irish Embassy" and "PJ O'Brien's," as well as a bar located in Montreal. Quinn was featured in the business section of the Toronto Star, which underscored his influence within the Canadian market. After resettling in Canada, he continued to engage in music promotion activities.
Personal background
Quinn possessed a residence in Killiney and owned a collection of luxury automobiles, including two Rolls-Royces and a Mercedes-Benz used by his family. Additionally, he was the proprietor of three racehorses, most notably "Lucky Leitrim." He and his wife Anne spent their honeymoon in Toronto, where they later resided for much of their lives. The couple had seven children—Bernard, Patrick, Lisa, Gavin, Paul, Tanya, and Barry-John—with four entering the Canadian pub industry and others pursuing professions in orthodontics and medicine.
Passing
Quinn passed away in Canada on 23 November 2009 at the age of 74 due to kidney failure. Senator Feargal Quinn, founder of competing Superquinn stores, acknowledged his significant role in shaping Irish retailing and recalled Quinn’s energetic promotional techniques. Tailor Louis Copeland highlighted Quinn’s dedication to assisting job seekers across Ireland. More than 800 people attended his funeral at St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto, including Toronto’s mayor. Tenor Colm Wilkinson performed "Amazing Grace," while Irish ambassador Declan Kelly described Quinn and his wife as "the embodiment of Ireland."