As it approaches a milestone 20 years in business, a casual observer might never suspect the humble beginnings of one of the Bradford business community’s biggest success stories.
When Regal Foods PLC launched in 2001 in the heart of Yorkshire, directors couldn’t predict the meteoric rise to the top that was to follow over the next two decades.
It wasn’t long before the Big Four supermarkets began to take an interest, and the fledging company’s big break came in 2005 when Regal products began to appear on the shelves of Asda and Tesco stores up and down the country.
For the first time, shoppers across the UK were introduced to the Regal product range, and they responded with overwhelming approval. The demand for Regal’s premier food range would only grow.
Within just three years, the UK wasn’t enough to contain Regal’s ambition, and in 2008 the company exploded onto the continent with the launch of Regal products all across Europe, almost instantly winning over thousands of new customers with their delicious, lovingly-created food.
Some companies might have basked in such tremendous domestic and international success, but the directors at Regal weren’t content to rest on their laurels. Scenting an opportunity, Regal’s largest sub-brand was launched in 2010: the Yorkshire Baking Company, which quickly established itself as another successful arm of the Regal family.
Over the next few years, the business continued to expand, launching new ranges and becoming a global force as country after country clamoured for its products, until the Yorkshire firm was distributing to more than 50 countries around the world!
Bradford’s business community couldn’t fail to notice Regal’s ongoing success, and the company’s rapid expansion created hundreds of jobs and brought great benefits to the local economy. This contribution was officially recognised in 2015, when Regal was named the Leeds & Bradford Employer of the Month.
With that, the dam was broken, and accolades began to pour down on the company. The Baking Company was awarded AA status by the British Retail Consortium – the highest food safety accreditation possible. This feat would be repeated during Regal’s next audit in 2019.
The jewels in Regal’s crown were yet to come, however. In 2018, staff were overjoyed when the company was named by industry magazine, The Grocer, as one of Britain’s Top 10 Favourite Bakeries. The following year, founder Younis Chaudhury was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Bradford Means Business Awards.
With these achievements, Regal truly cemented its position as Bradford business royalty. Nevertheless, success and recognition failed to dull the company’s ambition, and 2019 saw Regal achieve one of its most lofty goals: to break North America, and United States and Canadian citizens joined the millions of consumers worldwide enjoying Regal’s products.
As we enter a new year, and Regal approaches its 20th anniversary, the business is just as driven as it was in those early days. The launch of an online store – Shop at Regal – has made it easier than ever for fans to get their hands on their favourite products.
From its humble beginnings, to its present-day role as a titan of Bradford business, Regal has never given up the drive and ambition that got it there. Regardless of what comes next, one thing is for sure: there’s no standing still for Regal Foods PLC.
