About Batchelors
Batchelors is a prominent British convenience food brand with roots dating back to 1895 when William Batchelor founded the company in Sheffield, England. What began as a small shop selling tea and sundry grocery items transformed in 1912 when Batchelor pioneered the idea of packing and selling dried peas from the cellar of a disused Methodist Chapel on Stanley Street. Today, Batchelors is owned by Premier Foods plc and holds the position of UK market leader in dried soups, with iconic products including Super Noodles, Cup a Soup, and mushy peas found in cupboards across Britain. The Batchelors story includes significant family and corporate chapters. After William Batchelor's untimely death in 1913 at Bridlington, his daughter Ella (later Ella Gasking) took the helm and transformed the company. Under her leadership, the business expanded into processed peas and opened a revolutionary new factory at Wadsley Bridge, Sheffield in 1937. Costing £100,000 to build, this 12-acre facility became Britain's largest canning plant, complete with playing fields and speaker radios for staff welfare. War-time challenges led to Unilever acquiring Batchelors in 1943 through James Van den Bergh, placing it within Van den Bergh Foods. The brand changed hands again in 2001 when Unilever sold Batchelors to Campbell's Soup amid regulatory requirements. When Campbell's withdrew from the UK market in 2006, Premier Foods acquired Batchelors, where it remains today alongside other British heritage brands. Super Noodles represent one of Batchelors' most recognisable products. Originally launched by Kellogg's in 1979 as a dehydrated instant noodle snack, Super Noodles were acquired by Batchelors in the 1980s and have since become a staple of British convenience food culture. Available in numerous flavours including Chicken, Bacon, Beef, and BBQ Beef, Super Noodles offer quick, affordable meals particularly popular with students and young professionals. Cup a Soup, launched in 1972, revolutionised the instant soup category and remains a workplace and home staple. The just-add-boiling-water format provides convenient hot meals and snacks. The range includes classic flavours like Chicken, Tomato, and Minestrone, plus heartier options with croutons. Batchelors' dried soup expertise positions them as category leaders. Batchelors peas, including their famous mushy peas and garden peas, continue the company's Sheffield heritage. The brand sources 100% British peas, maintaining quality connections to UK agriculture. Mushy peas are particularly associated with traditional fish and chip shops, while garden peas serve as everyday vegetable accompaniments. Additional Batchelors ranges include Pasta 'n' Sauce (quick pasta meals in various flavours) and Super Rice (flavoured rice dishes). These products target the same convenience-seeking consumers who value quick preparation without sacrificing taste. Batchelors products are available at all major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons, as well as convenience stores and discount retailers. Using Grocefully to compare Batchelors prices across retailers ensures you find the best deals on these British convenience food staples.