Bidfood vs Brakes: Minimum Orders, Depots and Accounts

What is the difference between Bidfood and Brakes?

Both are delivered foodservice wholesalers: you order, and they deliver to your kitchen in temperature-controlled vehicles from regional depots. Neither is a walk-in cash and carry. From each company's own published information, checked in September 2026: Brakes states a £150 minimum order value for free delivery, delivers Monday to Saturday, and asks that customers work at or represent a UK business. Bidfood states a minimum order of £175 ex VAT on Bidfood Direct unless your agreement differs, with delivery days agreed per customer. Brakes operates around 30 depots; Bidfood lists 26. Terms change, so check both before you open an account.

Who owns them?

Brakes is part of Sysco, the US foodservice distributor. Its UK company changed its legal name from Brake Bros Limited to Sysco GB Limited in 2025 and still trades as Brakes, alongside other Sysco GB businesses including Country Choice and a catering equipment arm.

Bidfood is the UK business of Bidcorp, a foodservice group listed in South Africa. It describes itself as supplying more than 40,000 customers across hospitality, care, education and other sectors.

How do ordering and delivery compare?

Brakes: online ordering around the clock through its website and app, plus telesales and account managers. Published delivery days are Monday to Saturday nationwide, with free delivery at or above the £150 minimum.

Bidfood: ordering through its online shop, Bidfood Direct, and a telesales team. Delivery days are agreed with each customer and shown at checkout; orders can be placed up to two weeks ahead. The £175 ex VAT minimum applies on Bidfood Direct unless your agreement says otherwise.

For both, cut-off times and delivery days depend on your depot and postcode.

How do you open an account?

Brakes has a "become a customer" route on its site, which asks you to confirm you are a UK business or organisation and can meet the £150 order minimum. Bidfood has a similar "become a customer" enquiry for new customers; existing customers register separately for Bidfood Direct. Both may ask for business details and, for credit terms, carry out credit checks. Bidfood Direct also accepts card payments. Our guide to opening a trade account covers what wholesalers usually ask for.

What do they supply?

Both carry broadline ranges: ambient, chilled and frozen food, fresh meat and produce, drinks, and catering disposables and equipment, under their own brands and other manufacturers' brands. Bidfood states a range of more than 10,000 products. Ranges vary by depot and your agreed product list, so ask for the list relevant to your menu.

Which suits a small caterer?

That depends on order size and frequency. If you regularly spend £150 to £175 or more per delivery, either can work, and the choice comes down to prices on the items you actually buy, delivery days in your area and the service from your local depot. If your orders are smaller or irregular, a cash and carry or a wholesaler with a lower delivery minimum may suit better. caterers.trade is not affiliated with either company and does not receive anything from them.