Contract caterers post 12.2% sales growth year-on-year, figures show

Sales at Britain’s leading contract caterers jumped by 12.2% year-on-year in Q3 2025, according to the latest Contract Catering Tracker from CGA by NIQ, Bidfood and UKHospitality.

The increase is consistent with a long run of growth achieved in almost every quarter since mid-2021.

It also coincides with an acceleration in sales reported over the course of 2025, during which the foodservice sector experienced 8% and 9.5% boosts per quarter.

While most sales growth has been organic, the tracker also indicated there had been a 1.4% increase in the number of outlets served by Britain’s contract caterers since Q3 2024.

Karl Chessell, director - 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 – business & industry, added: “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 workplace and wider settings right now.

“As hybrid working patterns continue to settle, caterers are adapting their offers to better meet evolving employee expectations – from flexible service times to more diverse, high-quality and innovative menus. It’s clear that those who can deliver relevance, creative flair and consistency in their proposition, as well as the healthy and sustainable choices that consumers look for, are best placed to thrive.”
 
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, commented: “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.”

The Contract Catering Tracker from CGA, Bidfood and UKHospitality aggregates sales from leading foodservice operators such as BaxterStorey, Compass UK and Sodexo UK to provide quarterly reports with year-on-year analysis.