Vegetarian and vegan food supplier secures PE-backing for M&A

Bespoke Kitchen Foods, a Leicestershire-based provider of vegetarian and vegan products to the pub and casual dining markets, is set for acquisitive and organic growth after securing backing from private equity firm LDC.

The Coalville-based company, which was founded in 2008, supplies products to branded pub and restaurant chains and food wholesalers. The business has experienced significant growth over recent years, with revenues increasing by 18 per cent on average over the past three years.

This growth has continued this year, with Bespoke opening a new production facility near its headquarters in January 2025, further expanding its manufacturing capacity and enabling it to increase its employee headcount to more than 100.

The firm’s management team, led by Chief Executive Sam Tidball, has now secured backing from LDC to support its organic and acquisitive growth strategy. This strategy is driven by a focus on expanding its new segments, such as high street casual dining chains.

Tidball stated that the company is at a “pivotal moment”, amid evolving customer preferences, saying that “more people than ever before are choosing to reduce meat consumption when eating out.”

According to Tidball, LDC is “an investor with deep sector experience”, adding that the partnership “will help us to seize opportunities for growth in new categories and markets, all while continuing to provide exceptional culinary experiences for our customers right across the UK."

LDC’s investment was led by the firm’s East Midlands and East of England team, including Investment Director Simon Peacock, partner and Head of the East Midlands and East of England David Bains and Investment Executive Josh McHugh.

Post-transaction, Peacock and Bains will join Bespoke’s board as non-executive directors. Foodservice industry veterans Chris Copestake and Robert Burrell will also join the company as Executive Chairman and CFO, respectively.

Peacock commented: "We've been investing in market-leading food and drink businesses for decades, and Bespoke is a fantastic example of the innovation and ambition that characterise the sector.”

"Sam and the team are well positioned to take advantage of rising demand for their products among an increasingly health-conscious customer base, as well as to make strategic acquisitions in a highly fragmented market.”

Read more about dealmaking in the UK food and beverage sector:
Food & Beverage sector: M&A heats up

Food & Beverage M&A: Outlook remains strong for buoyant sector

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