Dobbies Garden Centres
Gratte Brothers Catering Equipment Ltd
Gratte Brothers’ partnership with Dobbies Garden Centres is a prime example of how consistent delivery, trusted advice, and long-term relationship-building can transform a regional contract into a fully integrated national service. Beginning in 2018 with a small number of postcodes, the Gratte team approached the relationship strategically—growing gradually to ensure quality never dropped as coverage expanded. Today, that service spans over 60 sites across the UK, covering reactive and planned maintenance, equipment replacements, and full installations, including design.
Dobbies, a well-established brand with a strong focus on sustainability, relies on its in-store cafés and restaurants to deliver a warm and consistent customer experience. For that to happen, the kitchens behind the scenes need to perform flawlessly. Gratte Brothers has become a critical partner in achieving that—providing reliable service, accurate specification advice, and national maintenance coverage that Dobbies can depend on.
In addition to callouts and repairs, the Gratte team has led a full asset tagging programme, giving Dobbies better visibility and control of their estate. This data feeds directly into Job Logic, streamlining service logging and response coordination. When replacement equipment is needed, the team conducts detailed site surveys to confirm specifications, ensure compliance, and check for installation feasibility—all before any order is placed. This approach avoids costly errors, minimises downtime, and ensures installations meet all relevant safety and extraction requirements.
The client relationship is maintained with the same level of attention. Gratte Brothers meets bi-weekly via Teams with Dobbies’ maintenance team to review performance, KPIs, and outstanding works. That open line of communication has helped reinforce trust and ensure alignment on priorities, especially as the demands of the estate continue to grow.
Beyond day-to-day servicing, Gratte Brothers also delivers fire suppression system maintenance, odour control, gas safety testing, and rack dishwasher servicing, ensuring every part of the foodservice operation is fully covered. What began as a regional arrangement has evolved into a comprehensive, national facilities support model—tailored to Dobbies’ needs and delivered with consistency across the entire estate.
This is more than just a contract. It’s a partnership built on honesty, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of what reliable kitchen operations mean to a national hospitality brand. As Dobbies continues to grow and invest in sustainable practices across their business, Gratte Brothers remains a trusted hand at the centre of their foodservice infrastructure—always ready, always responsive, and always focused on quality.
