Representing ten independent wholesalers with a combined turnover of £1.1 billion, Caterforce supports a network that delivers to more than 50,000 customers, placing it firmly alongside some of the largest national players while maintaining the agility and service excellence of independent businesses.
Gary Mullineux, Managing Director of Caterforce spoke to Wholesale Manager.
What are the benefits of joining your group?
A key advantage of joining Caterforce is the immediate and tangible value it provides. There is no membership fee, removing barriers to entry and ensuring that members can focus entirely on growth and collaboration. Financial returns are equally compelling, with income distribution to members increasing by 10% year on year, demonstrating the strength and effectiveness of the group’s collective model.
Has the membership grown over the last year?
Caterforce’s membership has grown over the past year, reflecting the strength of its proposition. Woods Foodservice joined in 2025, followed by Holdsworth Foods in 2026, bringing the total membership to ten independent wholesalers.
Both businesses are highly respected, family-run operators with strong reputations for service excellence. Their decision to join Caterforce highlights the group’s appeal as a partner that combines commercial strength with shared values and long-term vision. This steady growth further enhances the group’s collective expertise and buying power.
Do you have an own brand range?
Members of Caterforce gain access to an extensive range of products across all key foodservice categories, supported by strong supplier relationships and regular engagement opportunities. The group hosts six supplier presentation days each year, allowing members to discover new products, expand their listings and identify opportunities for innovation.
A standout feature of the Caterforce offer is its portfolio of five exclusive, award-winning own brand ranges. These ranges collectively include a broad selection of products designed to meet the needs of the independent foodservice sector, providing both quality and value. Ongoing investment in these ranges ensures continuous development, with new extensions and product innovations regularly introduced in line with emerging trends and customer demand.
What kind of promotions do you run?
Caterforce delivers a comprehensive programme of promotions designed to drive sales and support both members and suppliers. Central to this is its group-wide digital advertising capability, which enables suppliers to promote their brands across Caterforce’s extensive customer base.
In addition to digital campaigns, Caterforce produces three bespoke Trend Guides each year.
Do you provide marketing services, IT and e-commerce support for your members?
Caterforce provides extensive marketing services through its central team, supporting members in enhancing their brand proposition and engaging effectively with their customers. This includes creative development and access to high-quality marketing assets.
Beyond marketing, the group offers support across IT systems, data and e-commerce. This ensures that members are equipped with the tools, platforms and insights needed to operate efficiently in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. By combining technology support with data-driven insight, Caterforce enables its members to remain competitive and responsive to market demands.
Do you offer members guidance about their core range and NPD?
Helping members optimise their core range and identify NPD opportunities is a key priority for Caterforce. The group provides guidance through a combination of supplier engagement, market insight and collaborative discussion forums.
Supplier presentation days play a vital role in this process, offering members direct access to new products and innovations. In addition, Caterforce’s Trend Guides and wider insight-sharing initiatives ensure members are equipped with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their range.
New for 2026, the group is introducing a ‘Food Safari’ in London, where Sales Directors and selected customers will explore some of the capital’s most exciting dining destinations. This immersive experience is designed to provide first-hand insight into emerging flavour trends, global cuisines and future foodservice opportunities.
Do you run events for members?
Events are a cornerstone of the Caterforce calendar, providing valuable opportunities for collaboration, learning and relationship building. The group hosts six supplier presentation days annually, alongside regular meetings across different functions, including the introduction of dedicated face-to-face sessions for Sales Directors in 2025.
The flagship Caterforce Conference is another highlight, bringing together members, suppliers and industry partners. The 2026 conference, set to take place at Silverstone on Thursday 12th November, is already close to selling out months in advance, underlining the strong engagement and momentum within the group.
Do you run events for members?
Caterforce’s success lies in its unique ability to combine scale with independence. By bringing together leading independent wholesalers, the group delivers the commercial strength typically associated with national operators while preserving the flexibility, local expertise and customer focus that define independent businesses.
The absence of membership fees, strong financial returns, collaborative ethos and comprehensive support services all contribute to a compelling and differentiated offer. Caterforce also places a strong emphasis on people and leadership, championing initiatives such as supporting women in wholesale, across the industry.
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