Cater Care

In 2000, four individuals, S.K. Tam, Ian Campbell, Mike Phillips, and Michael O'Brien, launched Cater Care with the vision of building Australia's premier contract catering business. Their strategy was not to be the biggest, but the best, focusing on a culture of care for staff and clients, and providing tailored solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Starting with a single urban site, the company established a steady foundation. The company's journey has been marked by strategic growth rather than splashy fund-raising rounds. A significant move came in 2014 when the founders sold a 45% minority stake to private equity firm CHAMP Ventures. This partnership was designed to provide growth capital and support future opportunities, signaling a new phase of expansion. This led to key acquisitions, including the purchase of Spotless Group's airport concession business in 2018, which significantly expanded Cater Care's retail division and made it one of Australia's largest airport concession operators. Remaining 100% Australian-owned, Cater Care has expanded its services from urban catering to remote mining villages, schools, and aged care facilities. By 2020, the company had grown to over 170 sites with more than 3,000 employees. More recently, in 2023, Cater Care acquired a majority stake in Care Food Co, a producer of texture-modified foods, further deepening its capabilities in the specialized aged care market.