British catering companies see YoY sales rise 12.2% in Q3
The tracker also reported a 1.4% rise in the number of outlets served by major operators since the third quarter of 2024
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Britain’s leading contract caterers recorded a 12.2% year-on-year rise in sales in the third quarter of 2025, according to new figures from CGA by NIQ, Bidfood and UKHospitality’s Contract Catering Tracker show.
The data indicates the strongest quarterly increase of the year and continues a run of growth dating back to mid-2021.
The tracker also reported a 1.4% rise in the number of outlets served by major operators since the third quarter of 2024. It follows sales increases of 8% and 9.5% in the first two quarters of 2025, while groups’ rolling 12-month growth to the end of September reached 9.7%.
The quarterly survey aggregates sales from large operators to provide year-on-year analysis and benchmarking for businesses contributing data. It offers insight on performance across market segments and gives participants access to extended reporting.
Karl Chessell, director of hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “Contract caterers have substantially outperformed Britain’s hospitality sector in recent years, and these latest figures extend a stellar 2025.
“Strong organic sales growth and a steady increase in new contracts show the high demand for their services, despite multiple challenges in a high-cost trading environment. While there is no room for complacency, the catering sector will be entering the crucial Christmas season with high confidence.”
Debra Morrell, Bidfood business development controller of business and industry, said: “It is really heartening to see momentum in the contract catering sector continue to grow, both in terms of sales and an increase in the number of sites.
“This is testament to the resilience of the sector, and its focus on delivering value which we are seeing is such a critical choice driver for consumers in the workplace and wider settings right now.”
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, added: “Contract caterers are clearly performing very well, which is remarkable considering the significant cost pressures that the sector continues to face.
“This continued growth shows the clear demand for the high quality services our contract caterers provide, and the potential the sector has for even further growth, if its tax burden was reduced at the Budget.”
Partners contributing to the Contract Catering Tracker include ABM Catering, Bartlett Mitchell, BaxterStorey, Blue Apple, CH&CO, Compass UK, Elior UK, Harrison Catering Services, Olive Catering and Sodexo UK.
