Ranjit Singh Boparan, the entrepreneur behind Roberts and Brace’s bakeries, has taken a stake in food-to-go producer Simply Lunch.
Operating from South London, Simply Lunch manufactures and supplies sandwiches, wraps, salads, sushi, snack pots and bakery products. Its customer base includes retailers, travel businesses, independent foodservice operators and convenience outlets.
The investment was made through Boparan Investment Fund, which operates as 11:11 Capital Partners Limited. The fund takes strategic stakes in businesses while allowing founders and incumbent management teams to maintain a substantial ownership position and responsibility for everyday operations.
Under the arrangement, 11:11 Capital Partners will provide strategic direction, sector expertise and financial backing to support Simply Lunch’s organic expansion, potential acquisitions and future investment. The partnership brings together the company’s food-to-go knowledge, established customer base and focus on innovation with the wider Boparan organisation’s network and investment capability.
The deal reflects several food and beverage industry trends, including continued demand for convenient eating occasions, product innovation and flexible supply models. It also gives Simply Lunch additional resources to respond to evolving food and drink consumer trends, food and drink packaging expectations and changing food and drink regulations.
“Simply Lunch is an impressive business with a strong heritage, trusted customer relationships and a commitment to quality and innovation,” added Ranjit Boparan. “We look forward to supporting its long-term growth through our strategic expertise, investment and network.”
Simply Lunch managing director Sam Page said the transaction would support the company’s next phase of development.
“We have significant opportunities ahead of us and 11:11 Capital Partners shares our values and ambition for the future,” he explained. “Their investment and strategic support will help us build on our strengths, accelerate growth and create further opportunities. As shareholders and leaders of Simply Lunch, we will remain in our roles and continue to operate the business.”
Elsewhere, Boparan Private Office has committed £500,000 to Little Treats Bakery, a biscuit manufacturer within the Roberts bakery group. Boparan acquired the wider Roberts business through a pre-pack deal a year ago.
The funding will support the installation of a new manufacturing line at Little Treats’ 60,600 sq ft facility in Winsford, Cheshire. The equipment will allow the site to produce chocolate and protein clusters, while creating scope for additional products across the treating category, including baked and unbaked items and plain or chocolate-coated variants.
Little Treats is also recruiting 50 employees for production, engineering and operational positions. The site currently employs 135 people.
The investment marks an important stage in the company’s recovery and expansion after the devastating fire at the Roberts bread plant in nearby Northwich. It also supports broader food manufacturing trends, including investment in specialist production capacity and the use of food processing technology to develop new product formats.
For Little Treats, the new line provides an opportunity to participate in food and drink industry innovation while building a wider product portfolio. The expansion may also help the business respond to food distribution trends and retailer demand for convenient, protein-focused snacks.
“This investment is a real vote of confidence in Little Treats, our people and what we can achieve here,” said Little Treats site director James Rostron. “The serious fire in 2023 had a devastating impact, but the team has shown tremendous resilience through very difficult times.”
“Adding chocolate and protein clusters gives us another platform for growth and opens up opportunities with new products, customers and markets.”
The programme will also support the company’s approach to food and drink sustainability, including the development of efficient production and packaging options. As the business expands, its commercial plans will need to align with changing food and drink marketing strategies and the industry’s focus on responsible growth.
