Food Chain - Issue 195 - August 2023 | Page 53

________________________________________________________________________________________________________ R D Johns
It is not just RDJ ’ s service that ’ s top quality , its products , specifically the butchery lines , are known for supreme quality across the regions in which it operates . Its 6oz West Country Premier burger has recently won the prestigious Taste Of The West award , making 2023 the fourth consecutive year it has received a gold rating .
“ Our West Country Premier burger is a mouthwatering combination of locally sourced ingredients , including succulent beef from the West Country ,” Andrew details . “ The flavors and textures come together to create a truly unforgettable dining experience and we carefully craft each element to ensure a perfect balance of taste and quality – that ’ s why it ’ s the talk of the town !”
Turning to the company ’ s history , it was founded by Roy Johns with the opening of a butcher ’ s shop in Bishopsteignton , Devon , in 1970 . Over the 20 years that followed , Roy opened a further two shops . Andrew joined the business along with his brother , Martin , in 1996 , with a revolutionary vision that would change the direction of the company .
Strategic acquisitions
RDJ sold its three stores in 1998 , moving to a larger site on Milber Industrial Estate in Newton Abbot , Devon . It then focused its efforts on catering butchery and began to supply many local hotels , pubs , and restaurants .
Its next milestone in 2014 saw RDJ join Landmark ( Unitas ), a large wholesale buying group , which enabled it to buy into own brand products , as well as provide better pricing and a wider product range .
The business continued to grow yearon-year , helped along by three acquisitions . The first of which was Redruth based W G Chaffins Foodservice , in 2017 . It was followed
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