Wholesaler boosts basket with food supplier swoop

A wholesaler has expanded with a takeover.

Kitwave Wholesale Group has bought First Choice Foodservice.

Officials say the swoop represents an “exciting next stage” for the family-founded Staffordshire-based business, adding it will provide “a strong platform to continue its development”.

Under the terms of the deal, First Choice Foodservice will join North Shields-headquartered Kitwave Wholesale Group’s foodservice division alongside Creed Foodservice, Total Foodservice, WestCountry Food Holdings, Fife Creamery and South West family-owned operator Charles Saunders Foodservice.

Founded in 1988, Burton upon Trent-based First Choice Foodservice supplies restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafés, residential homes, schools, universities and sports centres across the Midlands. 

The takeover was supported by Derby-headquartered law firm Flint Bishop, through a corporate team led by partner and head of corporate Martyn Brierley alongside Mark Wilcock, Robert Devine, Jess Ryan-Dawkins and Joseph Weston.

Steve Ainger, First Choice Foodservice managing director, who took on the business from father Eddie, said: “Selling a family business built over so many years is a hugely significant and emotional decision.

“But we could not have asked for better support from Flint Bishop. 

“They took the time to understand not only the business, but also what the sale meant to us and our families.”

Martyn added: “It was a pleasure to support the selling shareholders, and we wish our clients and the wider First Choice team every success for the future.”

Roy Farmer, Rebecca Jones and Kam Atwal, of Dains LLP, provided accounting and tax advice to the selling shareholders, with law firm Muckle LLP and KPMG advising Kitwave Wholesale Group.

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