JJ Foodservice bolsters Asian food offering with Gatelands acquisition

Wholesaler JJ Foodservice has acquired London-based Gatelands Supplies for an undisclosed sum as part of its expansion plans to supply Asian restaurants.

The acquisition is effective immediately, with the Gatelands Leyton site closing. All of Gatelands’ 25-strong team were offered jobs across JJ’s 12 nationwide branches, with 18 staff choosing to join JJ’s Enfield branch.

Established in 2002, Gatelands imports Thai, Chinese and Japanese goods for 300-400 restaurants in London and brings a dedicated team to JJ.

More than 300 new Asian products have been added to JJ’s range, including Japanese eggplant, banana leaves, bao buns, gyoza, ramen, noodles and rice.

The wholesaler expects the acquisition to contribute significantly to its annual sales, as well as aligning with its commitment to expand its offering within the hospitality industry.

Mushtaque Ahmed, managing director of JJ Foodservice, told The Caterer: “By integrating the Gatelands sales team into our Enfield branch, we ensure that our team not only has access to these products but also benefits from the extensive knowledge cultivated by the Thai team over the years.

“With our expanded product range and specialised sales team, we are well positioned to support a broader range of Thai, Japanese and Chinese menus across the UK.”

He added that Gatelands customers can now “enjoy the convenience of our delivery service, easy online ordering, and access to over 3,000 additional products”.

Director of Gatelands Supplies Christopher Christofi added: “With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality sector, JJ Foodservice stands as a prominent industry leader. Strategically situated across 12 locations, its expanded infrastructure means our customers will benefit from local collection, fast deliveries and an extensive product range.

"We’re dedicated to continually growing our product range and increasing our knowledge and expertise through strategic acquisitions. We welcome any interested parties to reach out and explore potential collaborations.”