Most restaurants paying too much for gas are paying the wrong rate, not burning too much. A kitchen running ranges, fryers and a combi boiler from breakfast prep to last orders will always use a lot of gas, so the fastest gains come from the contract, the meter and the standing charge.
The eight options below mix brokers, suppliers and a couple of practical checks. They were picked because they work for independent restaurants, cafés and small groups, where nobody has time to chase energy quotes between services. Read the caveat on each one; none of them suits every kitchen.
1. Utility Bidder
A UK broker comparing business gas and electricity across 25+ suppliers, including British Gas Business, EDF, E.ON, SSE and Yü Energy. You get a dedicated account manager who handles the quotes, the paperwork and the switch, and there is no fee because the supplier pays the broker commission. Best for owner-operators who would rather be on the pass than on the phone. The honest caveat: as with any broker, you are choosing from its supplier panel rather than the entire market, so it is worth knowing which suppliers it can quote.
2. Check your contract status before anything else
If your fixed deal lapsed, or you took over the lease from a previous tenant, you may be on deemed or out-of-contract gas rates. These are usually the highest a supplier charges. Your bill or a quick call to the supplier will confirm it. This costs nothing and suits every operator. The catch: suppliers can ask for a credit check or deposit before offering a fixed deal, particularly for newer businesses.
3. Crown Gas & Power
A supplier with a long focus on SME business gas, including hospitality. It suits restaurants that would like to deal with a supplier directly and value an account contact who knows small commercial sites. Going direct means one quote only, so you have no comparison unless you gather others yourself. Treat its price as one benchmark among several.
4. Love Energy Savings
A large broker serving small businesses across energy and other utilities. It suits restaurant owners who want an alternative broker comparison to test against a first quote. Ask for commission to be shown in writing, which Ofgem now requires for microbusinesses. The limitation is the same as any broker: results reflect its panel, and service quality can vary by the adviser you get.
5. British Gas Business
The biggest name in UK business gas, with fixed and flexible contracts for small premises. It suits operators who value a well-known supplier and clear account management. Its prices are not always the sharpest on the market, so a renewal quote from British Gas Business is best used as a benchmark alongside a broker comparison rather than accepted on arrival.
6. Get your meter read properly
Many kitchens are billed on estimates because the gas meter sits in a cellar or locked store. Estimates can run high for months. Submit monthly reads or ask your supplier about a smart or AMR meter so you pay for actual use. This suits any site with “E” readings on its bills. The caveat: if past estimates were low, a catch-up bill may follow.
7. Bionic
A broker that compares business energy alongside insurance, broadband and other services. It suits restaurant owners who want several overheads reviewed at once rather than gas alone. The limitation is focus: if gas is your biggest problem, check that your adviser is looking hard at gas rather than bundling everything together.
8. SEFE Energy
A business gas supplier with a strong presence among larger users. It suits restaurant groups or busy single sites with high consumption that want a supplier comfortable with bigger volumes. Smaller cafés may find it less suited to their size, and its products tend to fit businesses that already understand their annual kWh.
How to choose for a hospitality kitchen
- Get your annual gas use in kWh from the last twelve bills before requesting quotes.
- Compare standing charge and unit rate together, because a low unit rate can hide a high daily charge.
- Check whether the price is fixed for the full term, including non-commodity costs.
- Confirm the contract end date on your current deal so you do not get stuck on rollover rates.
- Ask about notice periods, especially if your lease is short.
Find your latest gas bill, note the contract status and annual kWh, and get two quotes this week: one from a broker and one direct from a supplier. Pick the lower total yearly cost and diary the new end date.
