Roadchef 2023 In Review
What a year it’s been. It doesn’t seem two minutes since our doors opened for 2023 and now, we’re heading into 2024 with more exciting things to accomplish to make journeys for road users safer, happier and greener.
And, like every good TV channel at the end of the year, we’ve wrapped up some of our favourite moments from the last twelve months to relive the fun we’ve had.
Our partnership with the University of Bristol
Whilst thinking about the immediate future and working towards 2024, we’ve been working with the University of Bristol to see what tomorrow’s innovators believe the challenges will be in three decades.
They certainly rose to the challenge to share what they see as hurdles we may face and how Roadchef can overcome these.
The University of Bristol’s first-year Design Futures students came up with concepts, visually engaging designs and a framework for the ‘Service Area of the Future’.
A SUPER addition for road users
We opened the UK’s first Super 8 by Wyndham hotel and have already welcomed thousands of visitors for a comfortable, convenient and stylish stay.
As we continue to change the landscape of roadside stays, we’ve collected 5* reviews and had fantastic feedback for our hotel and, we’re thrilled to announce that in December 2023, we achieved the Wyndham Green Level 5 award - the highest of Wyndham’s sustainability certification. This achievement comes as no small feat!
Across the whole of our hotels, we’ve welcomed tens of thousands of guests for fantastic short breaks and long stays, including nearly 4,000 dogs. Man’s best friend deserves an adventure too!
An electrifying 2023
It’s been a bumper year for our EV team as we continue to electrify and empower Britain’s road users. We’ve made improvements across 10 sites, installing 64 new chargers - the first of which was the iconic Watford Gap.
Of those 10, 60% have been upgraded to the newest 350kW high-powered charging hubs allowing users to recharge faster. Since July, there have been over 650,000 charging sessions at Roadchef's high-powered charging hubs and we’ve helped save over 6,300 tonnes of CO2.
Our rollout will continue at speed in 2024!
CharityPutting the fun in fundraising
Our partnership with Cancer Research UK has continued throughout the year with a fantastic range of activities taking place to raise vital funds to help beat cancer.
Running, walking, mountain climbing, Thames-path stopping, baking, football-matching, jumper-wearing and so much more; together, we continue to beat cancer. Without giving too much away, we’ve got a HUGE announcement in January about our fundraising for Cancer Research UK. Keep your eyes peeled.
What’s more, our very own ESG and Charity Manager Mike Jackson scooped the Planet Mark Game-Changer Award for his efforts, as part of the Roadchef family, the award recognises someone who has made a material, measurable and positive cultural difference to sustainability as we continue our efforts towards Net Zero.
Continual improvement
We’ve continued to improve the experience for all road users throughout 2023, with hard work taking place across the country. We’ve installed six new changing places facilities for our customers with additional needs, we’ve improved a trio of HGV parks with increased security fencing (and achieved TAPA accreditation in the process), and we’ve installed speedy self-service units across multiple brands and locations.
We’ve opened Drive-Thrus Costa Coffee and McDonald’s in locations across the motorway network - including those at Maidstone and Northampton South. Stay tuned in early 2024 for more convenient drive-thrus locations, including McDonald’s Chester.
We’ll continue to improve in 2024 to ensure your journey starts, occurs and ends with a smile.
A great place to work
You don’t have to take our word for it, Roadchef remains an incredible place to work - and our team have achieved success with an unbelievable number of awards.
IIP Platinum, ranking fourth in Best Companies, two star for Employee Engagement, shortlisting for multiple awards in employability, benefits, and engagement - we’re incredibly proud to be one big family spread across 30 different sites in every corner of the UK.
Looking for your next challenge? Find your perfect role and apply here.
Focussing on Transport Focus
It’s the Oscars of Motorway Service Awards and we wait with baited breath to see how we’ve scored according to Transport Focus in their annual survey.
In 2023, four of our sites sat in the top ten of the UK’s best motorway services, and Annandale Water achieved the most recommended site - Chester, Annandale Water, Killington Lake and Stafford Southbound!
A pair of our sites achieved one and two, no pun intended, as the UK’s best toilets - Killington Lake and Annandale Water crowned with that honour. Could we call it a royal flush?
The fun facts…
As we begin to wrap up, we’ve crunched the numbers of some of the UK’s favourite items. Before reading below, can you guess the UK’s favourite sandwich? Road user's favourite coffee? Driver’s favourite chocolate bar?
Taken your guesses? Read on…
- The UK’s favourite sandwich this year was Egg and Cress. Not the crowd-splitter many think it to be!
- The UK’s most popular hot drink continues to be a frothy Latte and, as a sweet kick, the most purchased additional syrup has been caramel! You’ve all clearly got a sweet treat in mind when you hit your journeys.
- Reigning supreme as UK road users' favourite chocolate bar is Snickers. Was this the first to go in your Christmas Celebrations tub this year?
