The Country Range Group (CRG) is finishing the year on a positive note after announcing that King Brothers Foodservice will be joining as its newest member from the 1st January 2026.
A proudly independent, family-run business that is steeped in over a century of history, the King Brothers Foodservice roots go back to 1908 when Denis King first purchased a 500-acre farm in Orton Waterville, Peterborough.
Through hard work and dedication, Denis was supplying leading London restaurants and hotels with the finest poultry and pork by the outbreak of WW2.
The company was wholesaling by the 50s with investment in its first freezer helping it become one of the first companies to sell McCain Chips.
Fast forward over 70 years and the business still retains its family work ethic and values as it supplies everyone from roadside truck stops, cafes, schools, care homes and hospitals to bistros, pubs, 5-star hotels and the finest dining establishments.
King Brothers arrival into the UK’s leading foodservice buying group means that CRG will be made up of 17 member businesses and 19 wholesalers. The company will benefit from CRG’s immense collective buying power and will have immediate access to the Group’s unrivalled three-tiered, own-brand portfolio and powerful marketing tools.
With CRG already enjoying a strong presence across the UK, Ireland, Jersey and coastal Spain, the move will further expand the Group’s reach and distribution across hospitality businesses and public sector caterers in Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northants, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Nottinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
From their HQ and depot in Peterborough, King Brothers have 14 vehicles delivering 6 days a week and a continuously growing portfolio of over 2000 product lines.
The company is passionate about investing in local talent with 35 hardworking team members across the business including ten sales representatives led by Sales Manager Gary Cadle.
King Brothers Foodservice Joint Managing Director Martin King said: “After decades of admiring the reputation, quality and competitiveness of the Country Range brand, we’re very excited to be part of the Group. The move will enable us to improve across all facets of the business and will play a key role in spearheading our ambitious plans for growth and expansion in the coming years.”
Country Range Group Chief Executive Martin Ward commented: “It’s been another hugely positive year with our £1 billion turnover target smashed with two years to spare, our collective buying power topping the £360 million mark and fantastic progress being made in the onboarding of new members, improving discipline and enhancing cohesiveness across our Group. King Brothers have built an impressive reputation over the last century and more so we’re delighted to welcome them to the Group. Innovative, hardworking, down to earth and all-round good people, we’re excited to be working with them as they look to accelerate their plans for growth.”
About the Country Range Group
With over 30 years of heritage servicing the UK & Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 16 member businesses and 18 wholesalers – Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Brook Street Foodservice, Country Valley Foods, Crowndale Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, Europ Foods, First Choice Foodservice, Harlech Foodservice, Henderson Foodservice, Kitwave (including Creed Foodservice, Total Foodservice and WestCountry), McClures, Savona Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice, Valley Foods, Waterdene Foodservice.
In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also offers a three-tiered own brand portfolio under Country Range, Signature by Country Range and Catering Essentials.
Widely recognised by caterers as trusted and reliable brands that deliver consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour, the 700 plus products are all developed exclusively for professional caterers and cover grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food.
The Group publishes its trade magazine Stir it up 9 times a year, which features the latest food, drink and industry news, Country Range brand promotions and in-depth trend reports and sector specific guides to support and inspire all foodservice caterers.
The Country Range Group has also entered into a three-year charitable partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. The unique partnership will see the buying group and its members work alongside the charity to raise compassion, understanding and crucially, vital funds, to help make food allergy history.
