Visitors to the Vendsetters stand were greeted with sandwiches, hot savouries and bean to cup coffee in association with Coffee Republic, served from the highly distinctive black and red van. Vendsetters Managing Director Bill Owen reveals: 'Canteen facilities are no longer cost-effective for the majority of workplaces in the UK. With this change in culture, sandwiches and savoury pastries have become the preferred lunchtime choice for people on the move and in the workplaces. The Vendsetters bespoke catering vehicle ensures products meet with food standards and are kept within the 'chilled food chain' from production to the consumer.'

Vendsetters is part of the same group that owns Snack-in-the-Box, which famously made its name from its association with Cadbury and currently has over 100 franchisees. Bill believes that Vendsetters' association with Ginsters will be equally beneficial.

'Ginsters is not only the number one brand in sandwiches and pastries but is now one of the top 10 food brands in the country,' he reflects. 'The British sandwich market is worth £3,300 million, according to a 2004 survey by the British Sandwich Association. It found that 19 per cent (£627 million) is spent on sandwiches at the work place. In 2003 the Compass Workplace Eating Survey found that only 48 per cent of workplaces have canteens. Therefore the workplace sandwich market is worth around £326 million per year.

'Ginsters' premium brand and high rates of sale will enable franchisees to develop a highly profitable business with a long-term future.'

Published: 31 May 2006

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