A new impact report from McCain Foods, the UK’s leading producer of frozen potato products, has underscored the financial and structural challenges stalling entrepreneurship within the hospitality industry.
The report—marking the first for the company’s Streets Ahead program—calls for urgent government intervention to unlock the sector’s latent potential and support aspiring food business operators.
The Streets Ahead initiative, launched in 2021 by McCain’s foodservice division and powered by social enterprise KERB+, seeks to foster the next generation of food entrepreneurs, particularly those facing systemic disadvantages. The program offers a tailored support model, combining financial investment, hands-on training, and professional mentorship to help participants establish sustainable street food ventures.
According to the findings, one in three hospitality workers in the UK has considered starting their own business. However, a majority cite formidable obstacles: 62.2% of respondents pointed to limited access to funding as a key impediment, while 37.2% identified a lack of training and mentorship as major roadblocks.
The public appears acutely aware of these challenges. Nearly half of UK residents surveyed said more needs to be done to attract and retain talent in the industry. Additionally, 70.6% of respondents view hospitality as a critical pillar of the national economy, and nearly 90% emphasized its role in shaping British culture and community cohesion.
Since its inception, Streets Ahead has supported over 185 participants from more than 40 charitable organizations. The initiative has invested in excess of £240,000 and continues to accept new applications. Its impact is best illustrated by the entrepreneurs it has helped launch.
Richard Jones, Vice President Commercial at McCain Foods GB, emphasized the company’s commitment to unlocking entrepreneurial potential. “At McCain, we know there’s incredible untapped potential among aspiring food entrepreneurs who are facing barriers like limited funding and lack of mentorship,” Jones said. “The Streets Ahead program is our way of helping to address this, giving people the tools, investment, and support they need to turn their passion into a successful business, and, in turn, help strengthen the entire sector.”
Hind Danoun, one such participant and the founder of Utopia, offered a firsthand account of the program’s transformative effect. “The support I received through the Streets Ahead program helped me turn my passion into a thriving business,” she said. “When I first joined, I didn’t know much about how to run a street food venture. However, with the in-depth training and the £10,000 investment I received, Utopia is now a vibrant place where I share my culture and bring people together through food.”
As the hospitality sector grapples with labor shortages and economic uncertainty, McCain’s report underscores both the urgency and the opportunity in removing financial barriers for new entrants. The call to action is clear: with targeted support, the next generation of food entrepreneurs could play a vital role in revitalizing one of the UK’s most culturally significant industries.
Find out more at: https://www.mccain.com/