Waitrose, an upmarket grocer in the UK, has acquired London-based direct-to-consumer meal kit firm Dishpatch. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed due to their sensitive nature. This acquisition aligns with Waitrose’s ambition to establish itself as the trusted home for food lovers.
Dishpatch, founded in 2020, delivers ready-to-heat meals from renowned British chefs and high-end restaurants around the UK. With more than 40 different menus to choose from, the group delivers meals to homes every Friday. Additionally, Dishpatch offers wines typically found on restaurant wine lists.
Peter Butler, the CEO of Dishpatch, is expected to remain in his position following the acquisition. Waitrose sees significant opportunities for growth within Dishpatch and plans to support the expansion of its meal kit business. James Bailey, Waitrose’s executive director, expressed enthusiasm about the shared values between the two companies in providing high-quality food to customers.
Waitrose has previously shown interest in the meal-delivery sector, competing against Nestlé in 2020 to acquire healthy meal delivery service Mindful Chef. However, Nestle eventually secured a majority stake in Mindful Chef a few months later.
Overall, this acquisition signifies a strategic move by Waitrose to enhance its offerings and expand its presence in the food and beverage industry. The collaboration between Waitrose and Dishpatch is expected to bring new and exciting food experiences to customers, further solidifying Waitrose’s position in the industry.
