The capital’s leading premium restaurant supplier, Woods Foodservice, has acquired long-established wholesaler John Mower in a multi-million-pound takeover. The move will create one of the UK’s largest premium restaurant purveyors, serving over 3,000 customers who collectively hold upwards of 90 Michelin stars.
The business boasts an enviable client list, including The Fat Duck, Gymkhana, and The Ledbury, and the acquisition will see it take on even more culinary icons such as Harrods and Ramsay.
Fine Dining in London
London’s fine dining market has bucked the trend facing the wider hospitality industry. Recent figures show 146 new openings in 2025, almost double that of last year, and the highest since 2017, alongside a significant reduction in closures.
However, ongoing pressure from national insurance rises, minimum wage, business rates, and food inflation continues to challenge the UK restaurant sector.
Growth and Expansion
Forecasting over £40 million in revenue this financial year, Woods Foodservice has driven year-on-year growth of 5% versus 2024. The business has expanded its offering to include fresh produce, tableware, and meat, building a reputation and customer base at the heart of the capital’s most sought-after culinary experiences.
The takeover will see its revenue grow to over £50 million, solidifying its position as one of the UK’s largest premium restaurant suppliers.
A Legacy of Fine Dining
Established in 1982 and re-established in 2000 by Darren Labbett, the business capitalised on the fine dining and gastro-pub boom in the early millennium, carving out a unique position supplying top restaurants with ingredients from across the world.
Darren Labbett commented:
“John Mower is an industry icon, its core values align strongly with Woods Foodservice. We both put our customers above all else. That principle has fuelled our success. We’re a careful business; this acquisition is a thoughtful step to deliver measured growth, whilst remaining profitable and continuing to deliver excellence.
“London is a resurging food destination with a record number of new openings and a notable drop in closures. We have some of the world’s best chefs, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Unfortunately, the current government too often fails to recognise these unique economic and cultural assets.
“Together, Woods Foodservice and John Mower have been supplying them for over 100 years. We will never take that for granted. The opportunity for growth over the next five years is huge, and this deal will put Woods Foodservice and John Mower at the heart of fine dining across London and other major cities.”
Innovation and Technology
Against the backdrop of COVID-19, when the business briefly pivoted to provide restaurant-quality ingredients direct to consumers, and a turbulent hospitality sector which saw 11,000 jobs lost in October alone, Woods has remained stoic, innovative, and profitable under the family’s stewardship.
Holly, Rosie, and Lewis – Labbett’s children – also help manage the business.
Over the last 24 months, Woods has invested heavily in technology, creating:
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A bespoke platform that enables chefs to order via an app.
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Continuous enhancements through AI.
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An electrified delivery fleet.
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One of the UK’s most advanced food preservation hubs, with climate-sensitive rooms for fruit, mushrooms, and even chocolate.
The acquisition will also see Woods take on a new Hoddesdon distribution centre, increasing its capacity and speed of delivery.
Labbett added:
“Perfectly conditioned food for top chefs is all about how you deliver it. We can supply the freshest artichoke to a London restaurant within an hour. Maybe even faster with this acquisition.”