Supplier Awards 2026: Refrigerator Brand of the Year – Foster

An outstanding combination of product leadership, strong sustainability impact, excellent operator engagement and growth has seen Foster’s second consecutive triumph as the Supplier Awards’ Refrigerator Brand of the Year.

The brand has invested time and energy further developing its relationship with British hospitality over the past year. It conducted extensive research with hospitality operators and received feedback that spiralling costs are operators’ biggest challenge, with 67% saying it was their primary concern.

Using these insights, Foster focused on supporting operators through creating equipment that will be durable and energy efficient for years to come. This is embodied in the manufacturer’s improved G3 fridge, already its best-selling refrigerator. The updated unit is more energy efficient, costing less than 20p/day to run, delivering costs savings that can be reinvested into business.

Foster also conducted roundtable events, chef interviews and communication campaigns as well as publishing the Restaurant Kitchen Efficiency Guide, which steers operators into taking small, incremental actions to boost profit, limit costs and be smarter with the resources they already have available. It also created the Restaurant Playbook, which helps venues turn sustainability into a competitive advantage by using it to make sound business decisions, build morally ethical business relationships and make better use of ingredients and equipment. In fact, it built more than 500 new relationships with operators through its marketing outreach programme.

Foster’s efforts mean it has extended its relationships with hospitality owners beyond just their need for a fridge, making it a worthy Supplier Award winner.

Judges’ comment

“Foster continues to lead the refrigeration market in providing solutions for driving down running costs, with savings substantiated with data. It also has good credentials in respect of creative marketing efforts.”

Kate Gould, managing director, KEG Catering Consultants

The shortlist

• Foster

• Hoshizaki

• Liebherr

• Precision Refrigeration

• Williams Refrigeration