Contract caterers extend long run of growth with 9.3% jump in sales in second quarter

Britain’s top contract caterers increased their sales by 9.3% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Contract Catering Tracker.

The Tracker, produced by NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence, and supported by Bidfood and UKHospitality, has now reported year-on-year growth in every quarter for five years. The second-quarter figure extends a very strong 2026 for the contract catering sector, after a 10.5% increase in the first three months of the year.

Groups’ MAT growth—for sales over the last 12 months compared to the prior 12 months—now stands at 10.3%. This is more than triple the country’s rate of inflation during that period, and significantly exceeds growth achieved by other sectors of hospitality including pubs, bars and restaurants.

The sector’s successful run has been driven by a combination of organic sales growth and new outlets, the Tracker shows. The number of units served by caterers increased by 7.4% between June 2025 and June 2026.

The Contract Catering Tracker from NIQ, Bidfood and UKHospitality aggregates sales from leading operators to provide quarterly reports with year-on-year analysis. It offers businesses a valuable benchmarking tool to measure performance across various metrics and market groupings. Participants in the Tracker receive additional analysis in return for their contributions.

Karl Chessell, Director - Hospitality Operators and Food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “These numbers extend an extremely impressive run for the contract catering sector ever since it reopened after the COVID-19 crisis. It is even more remarkable considering the challenges that businesses have faced during that time, including sharp rises in food, labour and energy costs. It is also proof of the resilience of caterers and the high demand for their services in both the private and public sectors. We can be confident of more growth in both sales and outlet numbers in the second half of 2026.”

Debra Wild, Business Development Controller for B&I at Bidfood, said: “Five years of uninterrupted growth is a fantastic achievement for contract caterers and a testament to their resilience since the pandemic. Despite significant inflationary and operational pressures, caterers have continued to adapt, innovate and deliver exceptional value across the public and private sectors. The strong performance recorded in the first half of 2026 reflects both the increasing demand for outsourced catering services and the sector's ability to respond to evolving customer needs. We remain committed to supporting contract caterers with the right products, insights and expertise they need to thrive, and we are confident the sector is well placed to continue its growth trajectory in the months ahead."

Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “Contract catering continues to demonstrate the huge value it delivers for the economy and our communities with yet another quarter of impressive growth, even in the face of extreme cost pressures.

 “Not only do sales continue to grow but so do the number of outlets the sector serves, which is testament to the value and service our contract caterers deliver.”