Backround. Canape Box Ltd produces and delivers hand-made ready-to-eat canapes and party food to B2B and B2C customers across London and the Home Counties. A spin off from traditional event catering business identifying the need for scalability we shifted focus to a range of high margin products made in a food processing environment presented as an out-source solution for businesses clients and a cost-effective catering alternative for retail and private consumers.

Passion. The main reason we want to undertake this project is we love what we do and we want to grow. Our customers tell us we have a great product and over the last 5 years we have forged a new market in this exciting new arena of food delivery. We want to drive greater efficiencies, escalate our customer service levels while also researching and developing our product beyond our competition. We want to make great catering more affordable, allow our retail customers greater opportunity and product ranges giving trade clients the chance to maximise their business.

Structure. Canape Box Ltd is 100% owned by Managing Director Chris Messum whose career do date spans 20 years in hospitality. Chris Messum has to date funded all aspects of the growth. Canape Box will have been trading for 6 years by August 2018 this year and shows profitable trading of £50k net on £415k turnover. Chris is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day running of the business while production and delivery of orders is delegated to a team of 3 chefs, 1 kitchen assistant and a delivery driver. A digital marketing assistant looks after the social media marketing. We also have a development chef who is currently on maternity leave.

Relevance. The demand for our product is growing through direct and referral marketing but we are still unable to reach larger corporate and facility management companies due to a lack of accreditation, something that can only be addressed by this project. In addition to this, during the busiest time of the year, mid May to mid July, and September through December, we reach safe working capacity limits in our existing facility to a point where it jeopardises the quality of the product and the integrity of our customer service. These elements need to be addressed if we are to succeed.

Success! We have recently secured a Leader Grant for help with out growth plans.