Supplier viewpoint: Helping operators thrive while the industry pushes for change

Hospitality has never lacked resilience, but resilience alone cannot absorb every pressure being thrown at the industry.

From rising labour costs and inflation to higher energy bills and ongoing pressure on consumer spending, operators are being asked to do more with less – while still delivering quality, value and consistency every day.

That is why UKHospitality’s VATs the Problem campaign has struck such a chord across the industry. Backed by well-known chef Tom Kerridge, the campaign is calling for the government to cut hospitality VAT from 20% to 10%, bringing the UK closer to other European markets, where lower rates are already recognised, as a way to support growth, protect jobs and keep venues viable. For many businesses, this is not about special treatment but instead creating fairer conditions for an industry that sits at the heart of communities, high streets and local economies.

A lower VAT rate would undoubtedly make a difference, but operators also need practical support in the here and now. That is where Bidfood’s Unlock Your Menu comes in. Designed to help foodservice businesses navigate exactly these kinds of challenges, it offers expert advice, smart tools and cost-saving ideas on everything from menu engineering and kitchen efficiency to tackling inflationary pressures, reducing waste and easing staffing challenges.

In many ways, Unlock Your Menu complements the ambitions of the VATs the Problem campaign. While UKHospitality is championing policy changes that could deliver meaningful financial support across the sector, Unlock Your Menu provides operators with practical advice they can implement immediately. It enables businesses to maximise the value of every ingredient, menu item and service period, helping to balance rising costs, while maintaining a positive customer experience.

Hospitality has always been an industry built on adaptability. What it needs now is for that adaptability to be met with support from policy makers. If we want a sector that can continue to invest, employ and serve communities well, we need to make the case for change while also helping operators act today.

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