Limited funding, training and mentorship are seen as barriers to food entrepreneurship
McCain Foods has warned that more support needs to be given to the next generation of foodservice operators.
The frozen potato specialist has unveiled its inaugural impact report for the Streets Ahead programme, which aims to support the next generation of foodservice operators and bolster the UK hospitality sector.
The report reveals that one in three of the UK hospitality workers surveyed would consider launching their own business within the sector. However, significant challenges including limited access to funding (62.2 per cent) and a lack of training and mentorship (37.2 per cent) are major barriers to entrepreneurship.
The research also reveals that nearly half of UK residents (48.2%) believe more support is needed to attract and retain talent in the industry. Over 70.6 per cent of respondents consider the sector essential for the UK economy, while 89.1 per cent affirmed its importance in shaping the nation’s culture and communities.
As part of the report and in response to the issues highlighted, McCain is calling upon government to take action and demonstrate policy support for hospitality and entrepreneurship across three areas, aimed at ensuring long-term impact. These include:
- Recognising independent food businesses in the Assessment for Future Skills and strengthening support for entrepreneurs from less-advantaged backgrounds;
- Making levy-funded training more flexible for the food, drink, and hospitality sectors, supporting initiatives like the Hospitality Skills Passport;
- Including hospitality upskilling as part of the Comprehensive Strategy for post-16 education.
As part of its own attempts to address these issues, McCain launched the Streets Ahead programme in 2021, powered by KERB+, to support aspiring food entrepreneurs. The programme is designed to break down barriers to entry, offering a clear path for those from disadvantaged backgrounds including refugees, prison leavers, young people facing unemployment, and those experiencing homelessness to succeed in the food industry.
With a robust support system that includes hands-on training, financial investment, and expert mentorship, Streets Ahead aims to equip participants with the vital tools and resources they need to build and sustain successful street food businesses.
Since its launch, the programme has supported over 185 participants from more than 40 charities, investing over £240,000 to date. The scheme is currently inviting new applications.
Richard Jones, vice president commercial at McCain Foods GB, said: “At McCain, we know there’s incredible untapped potential among aspiring food entrepreneurs who are facing barriers like limited funding and lack of mentorship. The Streets Ahead programme 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.”
