The Pantry took home the prestigious Supreme Champion Family Business Award at the National Family Business of the Year Awards 2025, awards organised by Family Business United to celebrate the incredible contribution of family businesses to the UK economy. Family firms are the engine room of the UK economy providing significant numbers of jobs, generating income, creating wealth and investing in our communities.

As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United explains,

"The Pantry is a family business that exudes enthusiasm and a belief in the good that a family business can do if it is motivated to do so. Right from the start this business set out to be different, to stand out from the crowd and make a stand for their industry, putting people before profit."

"This is a business that cares at every level of their team, now employing nearly 1,000 staff, and who are positively influencing the lives and health of tomorrow’s generation."

"The Pantry is a business that feeds 38,000 children daily, are passionate about serving quality meals to children and creating positive food memories, sharing food journeys and educating a generation about food and healthy eating, often on a very limited budget per meal."

"They are not just focused on decision makers but the children who eat their food each and every day."

"Numerous family members work in this business, along with plenty of other families, and their vision, passion and purpose is driven from the team, lead by an incredible leader who wants to make a difference," concludes Paul.

Not only did they take home the Supreme Champion Award but they were also winners of the London & South East Family Business of the Year Award as well.

The Pantry was founded by Luke Consiglio at the age of 21, 19 years ago, and has grown from a sandwich shop on the high street to a £20 million, and growing, turnover business with plans to continue to innovate, disrupt and influence a generation of children, creating positive food experiences and hopefully shaping their food journeys for life.

As Martin Lindsey, Head of Advice at Brooks Macdonald, sponsors of the Supreme Champion Award adds,

"This is a fantastic family business that is a stand out winner, clearly epitomising the purpose, ethos and values of an exemplary family business. What they do is incredible and they are already recognised as disruptors for good in their sector."

"They are worthy winners of the Supreme Champion title and great ambassadors for the family business sector too."

As Luke Consiglio, Founder and CEO of The Pantry continues,

"Family and non-family members alike have endorsed and reinforced our central business message – People over Profit. Whether it’s through our philanthropic endeavours or just the day-to-day culture of care that we expect of our staff, being able to recreate our company ethos across 160 kitchens is something we reflect upon with huge pride."

"It’s also been an extraordinarily challenging year of businesses in general, but especially family businesses, with the financial headwinds we’ve been facing having increased in strength and ferocity over the past 12 months."

"In this environment, we’ve not only continued to nurture and develop a thriving family business, but become something more than that – a business that rallies for change for our wider community, that engages with charities and governments, that’s embarked upon our largest campaign of philanthropic and community-focused work, at a time it’s been needed most."

"Family Businesses have faced challenges like never before this year, but the way we’ve all rallied together and shown our resilience, innovation and resourcefulness has made us very proud to be part of such a community. So to win an award this year is extra special, and it’s an honour to receive recognition from such a recognised family business authority too, that continues to create a space where the passion, resilience, and impact of family businesses can truly shine."

"We are absolutely thrilled, honoured, and bursting with pride to share that The Pantry has been named the Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year at the Family Business Awards 2025," continues Luke.

"This is the highest accolade of the evening, and to say we’re over the moon is an understatement. From humble beginnings to this unforgettable moment, this award is a powerful recognition of the passion, hard work, and love poured into our business by every single member of our incredible team – and of course, our wonderful community who continue to support us every step of the way."

"This win is for our devoted team who go above and beyond every day, the families who’ve grown with us and the values that have guided us through thick and thin. Family is at the heart of everything we do, and this award feels like a celebration of that spirit."

"Here’s to many more shared successes, memories, and meals."