LDC backs Bespoke Kitchen Foods to drive expansion

Bespoke Kitchen Foods (Bespoke), a leading provider of innovative vegetarian and vegan products for the pub and casual dining market, has secured investment from LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group.

Based in Coalville, Leicestershire, Bespoke supplies premium products to the UK’s leading branded pub and restaurant chains and food wholesalers supplying the foodservice channels. Its products are developed specifically to meet customer requirements and include sweet and savoury baked and formed products.

Founded in 2008, Bespoke has grown rapidly, with revenue increasing 18% on average over the last three years. In January 2025, it opened a new production facility near its headquarters to further increase its manufacturing capacity, raising its headcount to over 100.

This growth has been supported by the rising popularity of vegetarian and vegan categories and more health-conscious dining. According to market research provider IMARC Group, the UK’s vegan and vegetarian food market is growing at over 11% and is expected to reach c. £1 billion in size by 2033.

LDC is backing the firm’s management team, led by CEO Sam Tidball. The leading private equity investor will support the business’ ambitious organic and acquisitive growth strategy, which is underpinned by expansion into new segments, including high street casual dining chains.

The investment was led by LDC’s East Midlands and East of England team, including Investment Director Simon Peacock, and Partner and Head of the East Midlands and East of England David Bains, supported by Investment Executive Josh McHugh.

Following the transaction, Simon and David will join Bespoke’s board as Non-Executive Directors alongside Chris Copestake as Executive Chairman. Chris is a foodservice industry veteran, bringing decades of food and drink industry experience to the role, including more than 4 years as Chair and then CEO of private equity-backed food ingredient specialist Freshcut Foods, and as founder of soups and sauces business TSC. Robert Burrell will also join the board as CFO, bringing strong experience in both food manufacturing and hospitality from previous roles at Geary’s Bakery, Denby and The Mellors Group.

Sam Tidball says: “We’re at a pivotal moment in our business journey. Consumer preferences continue to evolve, and more people than ever before are choosing to reduce meat consumption when eating out.”

Simon Peacock, Investment Director at LDC, added: “We’ve been investing in market-leading food and drink businesses for decades, and Bespoke is a fantastic example of the innovation and ambition that characterise the sector. Sam and the team are well positioned to take advantage of rising demand for their products among an increasingly health-conscious customer base, as well as to make strategic acquisitions in a highly fragmented market. We’re looking forward to using our experience to support them as they pursue their goals over the next few years.”

In the last decade, LDC has invested £403m into 21 consumer businesses, with a combined enterprise value of £900m. It has made successful investments in brands and growing businesses across sub-sectors including food and drink, travel and leisure, and niche consumer products.

For example, LDC currently backs premium milkshake brand Shaken Udder, and leading food manufacturer Bramble Foods Group, which acquired Whitakers Chocolates in January 2025. In December 2023, LDC exited its investment in artisan cake manufacturer Cakesmiths after a two-year partnership that saw the business increase revenue by 164% and EBITDA by 260%, generating a return of 3x for the investor. LDC has also backed successful food and drink exits including Fever Tree, Addo Foods, Hills Biscuits and Seabrooks Crisps.  

A debt facility was provided by OakNorth, which was led by Director of Debt Finance, Ian Fairclough.

LDC was advised by Food Strategy Associates on commercial and operational diligence (Robert Lawson, Richard Wyborn, Nigel Devine) with support from Future of Foodservice (Simon Stenning), Coppett Hill on Go-To-Market DD (Dave Kirby and Harry Von Behr), Cooper Pary on corporate finance (Tom Summers), Cortus Advisory on financial diligence (Paul Kithoray and Phil Dean), Brown Jacobsons on legals (Sam Sharp, Matt Bolton and Shaun McCabe) and Moore Kingston Smith (Guy Taylor).

Bespoke was advised by Needle Partners on legals (Sharon Needle and Connor Kendle).