Regal started as a family baking business in 2001, providing a small range of South Asian products to consumers in West Yorkshire through local convenience stores. In 2008, it began exporting to Europe and expanded into Northern America in 2019. Today, the company has a portfolio of over 400 bakery and confectionery products, sold in more than 40 countries. It has a multimillion pound turnover and employs a 200-strong workforce.
Faz Ali, group sales marketing director, said, “The business started from humble beginnings, serving Asian corner shops in Bradford, but our growth over the last 20 years has been phenomenal.
“We are immensely proud of what we have achieved, not only with the huge popularity of our ranges in Asian communities, but also reaching beyond this and taking our products to a diverse selection of markets within the UK and worldwide.
“We remain very much a family business and have never lost sight of our strong values, working hard to look after our team and local communities.”
Sweet spot
The bolt-on of Just Desserts will broaden the corporation’s burgeoning brood of companies, which include Regal Bakery, Regal Foods and Yorkshire Baking Company.
West Yorkshire peer Just Desserts was established in 1985, creating over 130 handcrafted desserts, cakes, tarts, cheesecakes and gateaux that are sold through numerous channels in the food service and retail industries.
“We immediately recognised a business that presented itself with opportunity, not just for us as a food group but also for our customers,” said Younis Chaudhry, CEO of Regal Food Products Group.
“New product development and innovation has always been at the forefront of our work and bringing Just Desserts and its team of craft bakers into the fold enables us to offer flexibility and the scope to develop the growing range of quality products that are on offer within the retail and wholesale sector. Further developments will also see the high-quality desserts available through ecommerce platforms.”
“We are extremely proud to be scaling our portfolio beyond the circle of Regal founded brands and branching out to becoming new owners of Just Desserts – a bakery that harnesses true craftsmanship within the confectionery industry.”
Business as usual
Chaudry confirmed Just Desserts will continue to run as an independent entity.
Just Desserts MD James O’Dwyer added, “We are delighted and excited to be joining the Regal Foods family and know that the Just Desserts brand and all the team behind its success are in the best possible hands to ensure its future growth and prosperity. It really is exciting times ahead.”
Regal was advised by Mazars, Clarion Solicitors and BHP Corporate Finance, along with Virgin Money UK.