JJ foodservice new truck

Source: JJ Foodservice

The wholesaler is seeking drivers across its Enfield, Sidcup, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds branches

JJ Foodservice has launched a campaign to recruit drivers across the UK in anticipation of a sales boom as hospitality venues prepare to reopen on 12 April.

The family-owned business is looking to bolster its 140-strong delivery team in the lead-up to its customers opening their doors for outside bsuiness next month, and the reopening of inside seating from 17 May.

Currently there are vacancies across its Enfield, Sidcup, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds branches.

It comes as JJ’s bucked the trend as sales crept up 1.3% to £225m for the year ending December 2020. 

Meanwhile the London-based wholesaler opened 20,000 new customer accounts during the same period, a rise of 22% taking its customer base to 83,000. 

“With outdoor hospitality opening on 12 April and indoor venues opening from 17 May we anticipate a surge in demand,” said JJ Foodservice head of operations Kaan Hendekli. “Having taken on 22% more customers last year, we want to make sure we are ready to respond.”

It follows the success of JJ’s at Home, the wholesaler’s DTC division which was launched almost exactly a year ago at the start of the first national lockdown as vast swathes of the distributor’s customers were ordered to shut down and cease trading.