£345,000 Invested in Food Start-Ups as McCain Awards Further £50,000 at Panel Day

McCain FS has now invested £345,000 in emerging food businesses through the McCain Streets Ahead Programme, powered by KERB, with a further £50,000 awarded to five entrepreneurs at its sixth Panel Day in February 2026

The McCain Streets Ahead Programme, delivered in collaboration with KERB supports aspiring food entrepreneurs from less-advantaged backgrounds to build commercially viable food businesses. The programme combines structured workshops, mentoring and industry exposure, culminating in Panel Day - where participants pitch their business concepts and cook their dishes for investment.

At February’s Panel Day, all five participants secured the full £10,000 investment available to them, with £50,000 awarded in total. Investment decisions were based on food quality, commercial viability and readiness to trade.

Panel Day represents the formal investment stage of the programme. Funding is designed to support essential start-up costs including equipment, compliance, registrations and preparation for live trading.

Lucy Smith, Assistant Brand Manger at McCain Foodservice Solutions, said: “Streets Ahead reflects our commitment to strengthening the hospitality sector by investing in future talent. Panel Day is where that commitment becomes tangible - providing funding to entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong commercial potential and a clear route to market.”

Following investment, participants will now move into the next phase of the programme, including live trading through the new InKERBator initiative. This structured trading programme provides real-world market experience at KERB locations, bridging the gap between investment and sustainable trading.

Simon Mitchell, KERB’s CEO said “KERB is built to champion brilliant food and bold ideas, while helping less advantaged people break down barriers to hospitality. The Streets Ahead Programme is the perfect entry point to our industry - our coaching team provides every participant the practical and commercial know how to set their business up for success. Seeing all five businesses secure funding from McCain reflects the strength of this cohort and the effectiveness of the programme’s model. Our aim now is to continue supporting these businesses as they develop in the real world of street food.”

The judging panel included representatives from McCain and KERB, alongside guest judge Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), who brought an operator perspective to the decision-making process.

Mark Broomhall, Divisional Food Development Manager at Mitchells & Butlers, said: “What impressed me most was the standard. The quality of the food and the level of preparation show that the process is working. With KERB’s structured support and McCain’s investment behind it, the programme is clearly delivering.”

Since launch, the McCain Streets Ahead Programme, powered by KERB, has invested in 45 early-stage food entrepreneurs, supporting participants into street food markets, catering opportunities and permanent trading spaces. The initiative forms part of McCain’s wider commitment to strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term resilience within the UK hospitality sector.

KERB is on a mission to be the most impactful hospitality business in the world. Since launching as a pop-up in 2012, KERB has grown into an international operator of iconic food halls, event catering, and its own social enterprise. From its flagship food halls - Seven Dials Market and KERB Berlin - to partnerships with the National Theatre and INGKA Centres, KERB fiercely champions independent businesses in the UK, Berlin, Copenhagen and San Francisco. KERB’s social enterprise was founded in 2023 to break down barriers to hospitality, supporting people from less-advantaged backgrounds into meaningful work and entrepreneurship. In August 2025, KERB opened its first drinks-led concept - KERB Social Club - an inclusive neighbourhood space for street food, drinks, sports and entertainment._kerbfood.com_@kerbfood

For more information, please visit: https://www.mccainfoodservice.co.uk/