Other food services Companies in the UK

SIC 56290Accommodation and food service activities|171.5% formed since 2020|Data updated 9 Jun 2026
17,024
Active

17,024 active companies in the UK are classified under other food services (SIC code 56290). This sector falls under Section I — Accommodation and food service activities — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 0.4% dissolution rate — 17,024 of 20,828 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 171.5% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 113% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 6.3 years. 149 large companies, 15 medium-sized firms operate in this sector. London leads with 21% of companies in this sector. Companies in this sector hold 606 government contracts valued at £5.0B. The sector's longest-standing company was incorporated in 1906.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, June 2026

17,024
Active Companies
I
SIC Section
1906
Oldest Company
171.5%
Growth (2020s)
6.3 yr
Avg Company Age

A rapidly growing sector with 171.5% of active companies formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
34%
59%
Pre-1990: 152
1990s: 278
2000s: 1,092
2010s: 7,112
2020s: 12,194

Data Signals

Governance
53,2166 src
Financial
30,65811 src
Compliance
8,62515 src
quality
5,8425 src
Risk
5,01910 src
Trade
1,6202 src
growth
6502 src
ESG
5686 src
operational
1321 src
innovation
562 src
corporate_structure
41 src
regulatory
21 src

Sector Overview

The other food services sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">0.4% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 6.3 years old. Geographic concentration: 21% in LONDON.

0.4%
Dissolution rate
6.3 yrs
Avg company age

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 154 (48%)Medium: 15 (5%)Large: 149 (47%)

Government Activity

Companies in the other food services sector have been awarded 606 government contracts worth £5031.7M in total.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many other food services companies are there in the UK?

There are 17,024 active companies classified under SIC code 56290 (Other food services) in the UK, out of 20,828 total registered.

What is SIC code 56290?

SIC code 56290 stands for "Other food services". It belongs to Section I — Accommodation and food service activities of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.

Where are most other food services companies located?

The largest concentrations are in LONDON (3,603), BIRMINGHAM (491), MANCHESTER (403).

What is the average age of other food services companies?

The average active other food services company in the UK is 6.3 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1906.

What government data is available for other food services companies?

Our database contains 106,392 data signals across 12 categories for active other food services companies. The largest category is Governance with 53,216 signals from 6 government sources.

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Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.