Case Study: Loungers
Overview: Loungers & United UK
Loungers is one of the UK’s fastest-growing hospitality brands, opening multiple new sites every month as it continues its ambitious expansion. But with such rapid growth, ensuring each location is stocked, compliant, and ready to trade from day one is no small task. United UK is Loungers’ trusted procurement partner, ensuring every site – including new venue launches – runs smoothly and is fully stocked. From catering equipment and facilities chemicals to chefs' uniforms, everything is delivered on time in a single, convenient drop-off each week. Beyond deliveries, United UK also supports sustainability efforts, making them an essential part of the journey.
United UK goes beyond just delivering stock – they’re actively involved in every new opening, working with our teams on the ground to make sure everything is in place. That level of hands-on support is invaluable."
– Amber Armstrong, Procurement Manager, Loungers
"I need a supplier who is extremely responsive – and United UK delivers on that. If I need something urgently, I know I can call on the team and they will get it sorted immediately."
– Amber Armstrong, Non-consumables Procurement Manager, Loungers
The challenge: rapid growth across multiple brands
Loungers operates across three distinct brands: Lounge, an informal, neighbourhood café-bar concept; Cosy Club, a more refined all-day dining experience; and Brightside, a new roadside dining brand aimed at reinvigorating the sector. With ambitious expansion plans across all three brands, Loungers is opening multiple new sites every month, bringing its distinctive approach to hospitality to more locations nationwide. Keeping pace with this growth presents significant challenges. Each new site—whether a Lounge, Cosy Club, or Brightside—must be fully operational from day one, stocked with everything needed to deliver the exceptional customer experience that defines the Loungers brand. Managing this at scale requires a procurement partner that can deliver on time, every time, while also ensuring cost efficiency, supplier reliability, and a commitment to sustainability. Amber Armstrong, Loungers’ Procurement Manager for Non-Consumables, highlights the complexity of scaling at this speed: "United UK goes beyond just delivering stock – they’re actively involved in every new opening, working with our teams on the ground to make sure everything is in place. That level of hands-on support is invaluable." With new sites launching back-to-back across different locations and formats, Loungers needed a procurement partner that could anticipate challenges, problem-solve in real time, and make supply chain operations feel effortless—all while maintaining the high standards that customers expect across its brands.
Sustainability has become a key focus too. Loungers has transitioned to one consolidated delivery per week per site, dramatically reducing Scope 3 transport emissions and packaging waste. Wherever possible, sourcing has shifted away from long-haul imports to UK and European suppliers, creating a more sustainable and resilient supply chain.
"At first, consolidating orders was about efficiency—but we quickly realised the sustainability benefits. Now, responsible sourcing is a much bigger priority, and United UK has been key in helping us make that shift." – Amber Armstrong, Procurement Manager, Loungers
The solution: a procurement model built for scale
United UK has developed a structured, scalable procurement process that ensures Loungers can continue expanding without supply chain headaches. Every new opening benefits from LaunchAssist, a fully managed launch process, with 100% fulfilment guaranteed on day one. Our representative attends site launches to oversee deliveries, working alongside ops teams, site managers, and contractors to ensure everything arrives on time and in perfect condition perfect condition. Beyond new openings, United UK plays a vital role in optimising stock management for Loungers' core product list. By working in close collaboration with their team, we ensure seamless availability and transition of stock across their locations. Our support includes: •Maintaining stock levels for essential items •Managing product lifecycle changes, including stock run-downs and discontinuations •Implementing new product lines and replacements in line with menu updates •Enhancing stock visibility and control through a structured management system To maintain efficiency, we ensure Loungers always has the right products available when needed. Our online platform includes visibility restrictions, allowing controlled access by user role, further streamlining procurement and usage management. At the heart of this partnership is a highly responsive team, always ready to problem-solve at speed. Whether it’s securing last-minute stock or adjusting supply needs for a new location, United UK ensures Loungers’ growth never slows down.
The results: efficiency, reliability & sustainability
With United UK’s support, Loungers now benefits from:
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100% fulfilment on new openings, ensuring smooth launches every time.
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More efficient stock management, with clear visibility over inventory and order cycles.
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A single weekly delivery model and smarter sourcing shifting away from long-distance imports to more sustainable UK and European suppliers reducing Scope 3 emissions and streamlining logistics.
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A responsive, hands-on partnership, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly, no matter how fast the business grows.
With new locations opening at pace, Loungers now has a robust, scalable procurement model that supports its ambitious expansion.
Looking ahead: What's next?
Loungers continues to expand rapidly, bringing its unique brand of hospitality to more locations across the UK. With new sites opening back-to-back, the need for efficient, stress-free procurement has never been greater.
By providing structured supply chain support, responsive service, and reduced Scope 3 emissions, United UK is helping Loungers grow without limits—one perfectly stocked, seamlessly launched site at a time.