Prep Kitchen
Prep your Kitchen for Progress
Meal preparation service Prep Kitchen Limited, Basildon, have with the support of Backing Essex Business and a loan using the Recovery Loan Scheme expanded their operations and moved premises to provide healthy and nutritious meals to the doors of those looking to achieve their fitness goals.
Owners Mark and Will who were already in the food sector and based in Southend wanted to provide a meal solution for those who wanted to control their diet but didn’t necessarily have the time to prepare the meals they needed. In 2015 he connected up with a local restaurant and together they launched ‘Prep Kitchen’.
Taking all the hassle out of meal prep, Prep Kitchen provides delivered meals that have been individually tailored to your goals, whether that be weight loss or muscle gain. Each perfectly balanced meal contains the right macronutrients and calories, and there are even low carb options for those looking to reduce their intake.
Starting from just £5.25 a meal, these ready made meals include favourites such as ‘’Beef bolognaise ragu’, ‘Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese’, and protein rich ‘Fresh herb chicken’, and ‘Sri Lankan prawn & fish curry’, proving that watching what you eat doesn’t have to stop you eating tasty meals.
““We believe in a new generation of healthy food and drink. All of our dishes are derived from natural, sustainable sources, catering for those conscious of their diet, but in meals that taste delicious. Having both been on our own weight loss journeys, Will and I are passionate about helping people achieve their goals, and 99/100 diet is the most crucial part of that. We are honoured to be a part of that process for so many people.””
Selling their meal plans online, through gyms, and personal trainers, Prep Kitchen have seen a huge demand for their services, and gained thousands of loyal followers and brand ambassadors including Eddie Hall, Tom Coleman and Zoe Smith.
To continue its pattern of growth Prep Kitchen discovered it would need to expand its operations, with a new premises and some new machinery to aid the packaging of its products. Mark approached Backing Essex Business for advice and support on how to approach this challenge and Business Manager Graham Johnson stepped in to help. Providing 12 hours of free business support, and facilitating a Recovery Loan Scheme application for £110k, Graham has been there to assist Prep Kitchen with all of their next steps and their move into their new premises in Basilson, Essex.
““The RLS loan has been pivotal in helping us move to a larger location to serve more customers.””
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) is a government backed business loan scheme that supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic. Providing loans of up to £10million over a maximum of 6 years, loans can be used for a wide range of purposes including managing cash flow, investment and growth.
Providing a loan of £110k, The Let’s Do Business Group, deliverers of the Backing Essex Business service and accredited providers of the RLS scheme on behalf of British Business Bank, were able to assist Prep Kitchen with their growth plans, aiding their relocation and the purchase of some important new machinery for their food preparation.
Now looking to the future, Mark has his sights set on further expansion and a larger reach for his meal preparation service. Already employing a staff of 40, and as part of his growth plans an intention to hire 40 more, Prep Kitchen will be an important employer for the town. Mark has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve with his business, and is now looking for investment partners who align with him to share that journey with.
He told us “Our plans for the future are simple, Expand, expand, expand! We want to continue with our direct to consumer subscription model, and see just how far it can go”
““Prep Kitchen is a dynamic business operating in a fast moving and competitive market. Moving its business operation into new larger premises in Basildon has provided a platform to meet the growth potential presented by the increased focus of consumers on healthy eating. Mark and the directors of Prep Kitchen are creating a fast growing business which has the potential to both develop and dominate the healthy ready meal market and Backing Essex Business is pleased to have been able to have supported its business plan.””
