Supporting our members and suppliers to achieve growth is in our DNA

We’re a growing, forward-thinking and disciplined buying group that works together to maximise and leverage scale, whilst emphasising and promoting the benefits of retaining independence and offering the finest customer service, flexibility, local knowledge and added value support.

By being part of the Country Range Group, our members benefit from competitive pricing, exciting promotions, access to the Country Range brand and extensive marketing support but can still provide the personal, reliable and professional approach that is so important to the catering industry and chefs.

Our Journey

1992

Launch

The story of the Country Range Group began back in 1992 when Colin Birchall, Mike Watson and Chris Creed formed the Catering Distributors Alliance buying group.

1997

Merger

CDA merged with Countrywide Catering Group. In 2002 the Group launched the new name as it is known today - the Country Range Group.

1998

Offices

The team moved into their first offices and brought on board their first full time official employee.

1999

First Conference

CRG held their first Annual Conference at Granada Studios.

2002

Establishment

The Country Range brand was re-launched in 2002, it has existed as part of the group since 1997 and came to the group with the merger of CDA and Countrywide.

2004

Frozen

CRG launched frozen foods as a new category.

2008

Thought-Leaders

Stir it up magazine launched exclusively for Country Range Group members, read by over 50,000 professional chefs and independent business owners.

2013

Leadership

Going from strength to strength, we now comprise 12 family-owned, independent foodservice wholesalers, we’re 100% member-owned, all equal shareholders and our business has mutual trading status.

2014

New Home

The Group purchased their own offices on Altham Industrial Estate, Lancashire.

2018

Insight

The Group launched its online data platform CRG Insight. The platform allows the Group, its members and its suppliers to gain a deep understanding of the customer base, making sure decisions are based upon intelligence.

2022

Celebration

The only way has been up, with the turnover and buying power of the Group rising since its foundation as we celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2022. Looking to the future, we will soon be launching a refreshed brand whilst building on hitting an annual turnover of £750 million.

The Story of The Country Range Group