Member Article

A to Z Catering has ‘very promising’ week as takeaways re-open

The managing director of a foodservice wholesaler has described the last week as “very promising” after a significant increase in orders as takeaways re-open during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hifsi Ayrancioglu of A to Z Catering has also pointed to offering products to the general public as well as securing new contracts with local councils, which are supplying essentials to vulnerable residents.

A to Z Catering, which is a member of buying and marketing group Fairway Foodservice, lost close to 75 per cent of its business overnight when the lockdown was announced.

Hifsi believes uncertainty surrounding the original guidance about who should close caused many takeaway owners to shut their doors unnecessarily. However, the founder of A to Z Catering is seeing more outlets re-opening as well as an increase in the public placing orders in the absence of being able to go out to eat.

He said: “When the lockdown came into force, there was a lot of confusion in the industry, particularly around takeaway services. Many closed to play it safe and avoid penalties such as fines.

“As the guidance became clearer, we have noticed a snowball effect in the number of takeaways placing orders with us as they deal with consumer demand. People are unable to go out and eat and are turning to takeaways during COVID-19 as an alternative.

“It is very promising for us as a business.”

And A to Z Catering has also adapted its offering to support different groups and organisations as well as the general public.

He added: “Households are facing hurdles when it comes to their general shopping, with some avoiding supermarkets but unable to get a slot for home delivery due to demand.

“We have introduced an ordering facility with next day delivery for the general public, which has proven to be very popular going from a handful of orders to more than 200 in the space of a few days.”

“We are also having a lot of conversations with councils about how they can support residents with food and drink essentials by creating tailored packages with items such as pasta, bread, milk, and cheese.”

A to Z Catering is based in Hornsey, London and its 40,000sq ft depot holds its frozen, chilled and ambient products.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .