Our history

​Brakes was founded by brothers Peter, William and Frank Brake. The sons of London publicans,they ran a pub themselves before starting a new food delivery business under their own name in1958. Innovative and entrepreneurial, they were pioneers of frozen food, and among the first todevelop and supply ready meals that could truly compete with freshly prepared dishes in afoodservice context.​

Over the next five decades, the company expanded steadily to become one of Britain’s largestfoodservice operators. Today, the company provides food, drink and catering supplies andequipment to more than 20,000 pub, restaurant, hotel, school, college and care homecustomers across the country. ​

In 2016, Brakes became part of the Sysco family. Backed by the resources and purchasing powerof a $50bn business, Brakes has made significant investments in its facilities, processes andpeople, to provide a more streamlined, accurate and efficient service to customers. Brakesremains true to its roots and heritage as a proudly British company, with almost 9,000 staff,including its directors and other senior leaders, all based in the UK.