Catering
From branded takeaway packaging to bespoke furniture and commercial kitchen equipment, catering and hospitality businesses source a huge range from China — often at a fraction of UK wholesale prices, and with the branding UK suppliers charge a premium for.
Most catering operators come to us with the same problem: their packaging is unbranded because branded runs from a UK supplier cost too much, and their equipment budget is set by whatever the local distributor happens to stock. Sourcing directly from Chinese manufacturers changes both. The same printed cup that carries a premium from a UK reseller is a standard product at the factory that makes it, and your logo is a print-plate cost rather than a markup.
The trade-off is that you take on the specification and quality work yourself — or you ask someone to do it for you. Food-contact compliance, print colour accuracy and the durability of equipment that runs all day are the three things that go wrong when they are left implicit. We treat them as explicit line items in the specification, verify them before any money moves, and put a physical sample in front of you before the bulk run.
What we source
- Printed cups, lids and sleeves
- Food containers and takeaway packaging
- Paper bags and mailers
- Bespoke furniture and fit-out
- Commercial kitchen equipment
- Staff uniforms and aprons
What to consider
- Anything that touches food or drink must meet food-contact requirements — we make that an explicit part of the specification.
- Custom-printed items need a physical sample signed off before the bulk run, especially for brand colours.
- Commercial kitchen equipment needs the correct UK electrical specification and safety marking; we confirm both before ordering rather than after it lands.
- Packaging is bulky relative to its value, so consolidating a full container across cups, containers and bags usually beats shipping each line separately.
Common questions
Can you source food-contact packaging safely?
Yes. We specify and verify food-contact compliance before ordering, and approve a physical sample first.
We are a single site, not a chain. Is our volume too small?
Usually not for packaging, where branding a stock cup or container keeps minimums accessible. We can also consolidate several product lines into one order so a single site reaches a workable volume.
How long does a fit-out order take to arrive?
Furniture and equipment ship by sea, so plan in months rather than weeks once production time is added. We give you the full timeline up front so it can be built into your opening date.
Related guides
- Sourcing catering equipment and supplies from ChinaFood contact rules, electrical safety and the realities of commercial use. What UK hospitality buyers should specify and check.
- Sourcing for cafes and hospitalityFrom branded cups to furniture, what independent cafes and restaurants can source from China — and what to watch for.
- Sourcing custom packaging and print from ChinaColour, structure and the UK taxes that attach to packaging. How to get print right first time and avoid an expensive tax surprise.
- CE, UKCA and ISO: which certifications you needWhat these marks mean, the current UK position on CE vs UKCA, and how to check a factory's certificates are genuine.