Contract Caterers complete strong 2025
Sales were up by exactly 9% for the fourth quarter of last year, when compared to the same period in 2024.
The Contract Catering Tracker – which is produced by NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence and supported by Bidfood and UKHospitality – has been issued for the fourth quarter of 2025. The good news is that sales were up by exactly 9% for the fourth quarter of last year, when compared to the same period in 2024.
This extends an impressive run for contract caterers, with the figure being above 8% across every quarter of 2025. Groups’ moving annual total growth for the year, meanwhile, stood at 8.4% – which is more than double the UK’s rate of inflation.
‘Excellent growth’
Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “Contract caterers continue to deliver excellent growth, across both sales and outlets served. In the face of acute cost challenges, this consistent performance demonstrates the sector’s resilience and its significant contribution to the economy.”
Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA for NIQ, added: “In a tough trading environment, contract caterers did exceptionally well to touch double-digit growth throughout 2025. Crucially the fourth-quarter performance was driven not just by new clients or raised prices but by high volumes, which will have helped to offset some sharp increases in key costs.”
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