Birchall Foodservice predicts £65 million turnover by April 2026

Birchall Foodservice has experienced strong sales growth in the past 12 months, with turnover for the group (Birchall and QFS) projected to reach £65 million by April 2026.

During the past year, one of Birchall’s largest school partners awarded £1.6 million of new business in Cumbria, citing the exceptional service already delivered to their schools across Lancashire, Manchester and Yorkshire.

Another key highlight was the appointment of Gill Smith as managing director, supported by commercial director Nicola Watson. Both began their careers at Birchall Foodservice in entry-level roles and have worked their way up through the business. Watson also celebrated 20 years with the company this year.

The independent, family-owned business, which has depots in Burnley, Durham and Sheffield, has also continued to invest in its infrastructure and geographic reach, with the opening of a new depot in Rotherham. The site enables Birchall Foodservice to serve more customers across South Yorkshire and the Midlands.

In addition, Birchall Foodservice acquired Quality Foodservice (QFS) in Middlesbrough, strengthening its presence in the North East and extending its ability to support customers across the region. The addition of QFS has enhanced Birchall’s fresh offering, allowing the business to provide a broader, higher-quality range of fruit, vegetables, herbs and prepped produce.

A Country Range Group member, Birchall Foodservice also successfully rebranded its annual tradeshow as the Birchall Food Show, delivering record results: visitor numbers nearly doubled, supplier attendance increased by 30%, and sales on the day were 10 times higher than at any previous event.

Commenting on the year, Justin Birchall, chairman of Birchall Foodservice, said: “I’ve been incredibly proud of what Gill has achieved since stepping up to managing director. She’s shown real leadership and commitment, and I’ve been consistently impressed by her approach. I know the business is in very good hands. Gill’s journey is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when you nurture talent, promote from within, and trust your own people. With the team we have in place, and the growth plans ahead of us, I’m genuinely excited about what the future holds for our business.”