About Blue Apple Contract Catering Limited

Blue Apple provide catering services through the cafes, restaurants and deli-bars within a variety of companies.

Formed by Ruston Toms and Brian Allanson, both qualified chefs who had worked for the ‘big boys’ of the industry, they wanted to create a workplace catering business to be proud of.

They began with a small business loan and just two employees and have grown in that time to £16 million of turnover and operating in 71 locations across the UK.

Their mission is to provide their clients and customers with an outstanding customer service experience, and their work is underpinned by the following four core values: passion, integrity, pride and sustainability.

The company is committed to being a great place to work, and, among many other initiatives, they have recently reviewed their approach to annual six monthly appraisals and rolled out a new process that has been co-designed by employees themselves.

What is it like to work for Blue Apple Contract Catering Limited

Leadership

73% of staff agreed:

I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team

Co-founder and Chief Executive Brian Allanson is a visible leader in the business. Having grown the business from one contract to 70 in its 20 year history, he was welcomed each new team into the business, personally getting to know their abilities, potential and aspirations.

73% of staff agreed:

I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team

Wellbeing

66% of staff agreed:

I am happy with the balance between my work and home life

Blue Apple have an Employee Assistance Programme that offers a full range of support to staff, covering finances, family, bereavement and stress. They also carry out regular wellbeing checks and monitor stress informally in one to one meetings.

66% of staff agreed:

I am happy with the balance between my work and home life

Fair Deal

53% of staff agreed:

I am paid fairly for the work that I do relative to others within this organisation

The company runs a popular annual award scheme, in which managers in the business nominate those they think deserve recognition and prizes in categories such as: Manager of the Year; Chef of the Year; Unit of the Year; Team of the Year; Rising Star; Unsung Hero and Operations Manager’s Choice.

53% of staff agreed:

I am paid fairly for the work that I do relative to others within this organisation

Learn more about the 8 factors of workplace engagement here