Catering SIC codes split between 56210 for event catering, with 31,367 active companies, and 56290 for other food services, with 33,312. Under SIC 2026, 56290 moves to 56.22, which is named for contract catering. So contract caterers should become much easier to identify by code.
Results Driven Marketing (RD Marketing) wrote this guide for suppliers who sell to caterers. We sell B2B data, so we have an interest in the subject. To keep it useful, we link our sources and show where a SIC search falls short. For the basics, read what an SIC code is.
Written by Iain Irvin, Director of RD Marketing. Iain worked in telesales, business development and sales management before starting the business, and has more than 15 years of experience in B2B marketing data and lead generation. Codes, counts and sources checked on 7 November 2026.
Contents
- Catering SIC Codes Compared
- Catering SIC Codes Against Food Hygiene Data
- Catering SIC Codes Under SIC 2026
- Who Catering SIC Codes Leave Out
- Using Catering SIC Codes to Build a List
- RD Marketing Services That Can Help
- How We Checked This
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Talk to Us
Catering SIC Codes Compared
Do not add the counts together, because a company can list up to four codes.
| SIC code | Companies House description | Active companies | SIC 2026 code | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56210 | Event catering activities | 31,367 | 56.21 | Weddings, parties and events |
| 56290 | Other food services | 33,312 | 56.22 | Contract and other catering |
| 56103 | Take-away food shops and mobile food stands | 87,379 | 56.11/3, 56.12 | Includes mobile food stands |
| 56101 | Licenced restaurants | 54,913 | 56.11/1 | Restaurants that may also cater |
Catering SIC Codes Against Food Hygiene Data
The Food Standards Agency ratings data counts food premises by business type, and it covers the whole UK. We checked it on 7 November 2026.
| Business type | Premises listed |
|---|---|
| Other catering premises | 77,020 |
| Mobile caterer | 31,294 |
| Hospitals, childcare and caring premises | 43,384 |
| School, college or university | 35,988 |
The last two rows matter if you sell to caterers, because much catering happens inside hospitals, schools and workplaces. Those kitchens may be run in-house or by a contractor, so they will not all appear under a catering code.
Catering SIC Codes Under SIC 2026
The Office for National Statistics finalised UK SIC 2026 in April 2026. 56.21 stays the same. 56.29 moves to 56.22, contract catering service activities and other food services, while mobile food stands get their own code at 56.12. You can read more in our UK SIC 2026 research.
Who Catering SIC Codes Leave Out
- In-house kitchens. A school or care home kitchen belongs to an organisation with a different code.
- Sole traders. Sole traders are not on the Companies House register, so a company search cannot find them. Food businesses must still register with their council, so ratings data can help.
- Pubs and restaurants that cater. They may list a food service code only.
Using Catering SIC Codes to Build a List
- Choose the type of caterer. Event, contract and mobile firms buy differently.
- Decide on in-house kitchens. If you want them, use sector lists.
- Add region. It matters for deliveries.
- Test a sample. Check it against ratings data.
Our caterers data includes 3,494 phone numbers and postal addresses, plus 1,488 email addresses. See also our guide to restaurant SIC codes.
RD Marketing Services That Can Help
Once you know which codes and audiences you need, these pages explain how we can help you reach them.
- B2B data provider UK: who we are and what we supply.
- Buy B2B data online: our main page for buying UK business data.
- Telemarketing list providers: phone data for outbound sales teams.
- Buy email list: business email data for your campaigns.
- Marketing mailing lists: postal data for letters and mailshots.
- LinkedIn outreach: managed outreach to decision-makers on LinkedIn.
- Managed email campaigns: email campaigns run and followed up for you.
How We Checked This
Company counts come from Companies House advanced search, using the active status filter and one code at a time, on 7 November 2026. Descriptions come from the Companies House SIC code list. SIC 2026 codes come from the ONS correspondence table, dated 3 August 2026. A correspondence shows where a code could go. It does not tell you how any one company will be recoded. Food Standards Agency counts come from its ratings API on 7 November 2026 and include premises of each listed type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SIC code for a catering company?
Use 56210 for event catering and 56290 for other food services, including contract catering.
What is the SIC code for a mobile caterer?
Use 56103 on today’s list. Under SIC 2026, mobile food services get their own code, 56.12.
What is the SIC code for a wedding caterer?
Use 56210, event catering activities.
What is the SIC code for contract catering?
Use 56290 today. Under SIC 2026 it moves to 56.22, contract catering service activities and other food services.
Talk to Us
Need to reach caterers? Tell us who you want to reach, and we will send you a free audience count and quote within 24 hours, along with a sample.
Contact RD Marketing today to discuss your target market.