Flint Bishop has advised the shareholders of Staffordshire-based First Choice Foodservice on the sale of the family-founded business to Kitwave Wholesale Group (Kitwave).
7 October 2026
Deal
Flint Bishop’s Corporate team, led by Partner and Head of Corporate Martyn Brierley, supported by Mark Wilcock, Robert Devine, Jessica Ryan-Dawkins and Joseph Weston, acted for shareholders Steve Ainger, Nick Grantham and Wahida Ainger on the transaction, which sees First Choice become part of Kitwave’s expanding foodservice division.
Established in 1988 and based in Burton upon Trent, First Choice Foodservice has developed from its traditional cash and carry roots into a successful delivered foodservice business serving professional caterers across the Midlands. Its customers include restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafés, residential homes, schools, universities and sports centres. Over more than 38 years, First Choice has built a strong reputation for personal service and customer relationships. Under Managing Director Steve Ainger, who took over the leadership of the business from his father Eddie, the company has undergone a significant evolution towards a delivered foodservice model.
The acquisition represents the next stage of First Choice’s growth and will see the business join Kitwave’s foodservice division alongside Creed Foodservice, Total Foodservice, West Country, Fife Creamery and Charles Saunders Foodservice.
Martyn Brierley, said:
“We are delighted to have advised the selling Shareholders on the successful sale of First Choice Foodservice. The acquisition by Kitwave represents an exciting next stage for First Choice, providing a strong platform from which the business can continue its development as part of a larger UK wholesale group. It was a pleasure to support the selling shareholders throughout the transaction, and we wish our clients’ and the wider First Choice team every success for the future.”
Steve Ainger added:
“Selling a family business built over so many years is a hugely significant and emotional decision, and we could not have asked for better support than we received from Martyn and the team at Flint Bishop. They took the time to understand not only the business, but also what the sale meant to us and our families. Their advice was always clear and practical and their calm, reassuring approach helped us through every stage of the process. We are genuinely grateful for everything they did and would wholeheartedly recommend them to any business owner considering a sale.”
Roy Farmer, Rebecca Jones and Kam Atwal of Dains LLP provided Accounting and Tax advice to the selling shareholders.
Kitwave was advised by Muckle LLP and KPMG.
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