About Us
Since 1982
Established in 1982 by Peter Doughty, Doughty Cakes has built a proud reputation for quality, consistency, and reliability. For over four decades, we’ve been supplying a trusted range of long-life bread, cakes, and snacks to convenience stores across the region.
Our commitment is simple to deliver industry-leading service, a consistent product range, and exceptional reliability that our customers can depend on every day.
At Doughty Cakes, we combine traditional values with modern efficiency, ensuring that every product meets the high standards our customers have come to expect.
Our mission is simple
At Doughty Cakes, our mission is simple – to share the warmth of quality baking and dependable service with every customer we serve.
What began in 1982 as a small family business has grown into a trusted name in the supply of long-life bread, cakes, and snacks. Though we’ve expanded and evolved over the years, our values have never changed. We still believe that good food, made with care and consistency, can make a real difference in people’s lives, whether it’s on a shop shelf, in a lunchbox, or shared with family at home.
We take pride in being a company our customers can rely on. From our industry leading service to our consistent product range and exceptional reliability, everything we do is built on trust. That’s why we work closely with convenience stores across the region , ensuring they receive the same dependable quality and personal attention that have defined us for over four decades.
At the heart of Doughty Cakes is a belief in doing things the right way — with honesty, care, and pride in every product we deliver. As we look to the future, our mission remains to continue providing the same family values and quality service that started it all, while always seeking new ways to care for our customers and exceed expectations.
Because at Doughty Cakes, we’re not just delivering products – we’re building traditions, creating connections, and sharing the simple joy of good food.
Our History
The Beginning
Peter Doughty, Founder
Doughty Cakes was established in 1982 by Peter Doughty, originally trading under the name Continental Cakes until 1992. With great courage and vision, Peter left a secure job, purchased a van, and began importing premium cakes from across Europe — including Holland, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, and Denmark. These continental delicacies quickly gained popularity among local convenience and grocery stores throughout Lincolnshire. Balancing the responsibilities of a young family and a mortgage, Peter’s determination drove the business forward. Within just one year, a second van was added to the fleet to meet growing demand — a testament to his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.
A New Generation
Mark Doughty Joins
In 1992, Peter’s eldest son, Mark, joined the company, marking the beginning of the next generation’s involvement. The timing coincided with Doughty Cakes securing a major contract to supply the Lincolnshire Co-operative Society’s supermarkets and convenience stores. After a brief induction and driver training, Mark was quickly entrusted with the company’s largest vehicle, helping to deliver to an expanding customer base across the region. Mark’s role within the business continued to grow over the following years, and in 2004 he became Managing Director. During his tenure, he expertly guided the company through a period of sustained growth and development, establishing many of the systems, practices, and values that continue to underpin its success today. Mark stepped down in 2017 to pursue other interests, leaving behind a culture of commitment, quality, and family spirit that remains central to Doughty Cakes.
Continued Growth
Carl Doughty Joins
Peter’s second son, Carl, joined the family business in 1995. By this time, Doughty Cakes had grown to a fleet of five vans and continued to expand to meet increasing customer demand. Carl’s leadership and commitment saw him rise through the company, ultimately becoming Managing Director — a role in which he continues to guide the business with the same integrity and vision as his father.
Learning Through Challenge
Structural Changes
In 2004, changes within the company’s largest client created significant challenges for Doughty Cakes. However, true to the family’s values of resilience and perseverance, the business adapted, refocused, and emerged stronger than ever. These experiences reinforced the company’s enduring commitment to innovation, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
Further Expansion
Martin Doughty Joins
In 2005, Peter’s third son, Martin, brought his energy and enthusiasm to the company, driving another period of sustained growth. His dedication to building strong customer relationships and exploring new opportunities has been instrumental to Doughty Cakes’ continued success. Today, Martin serves as Sales Director, leading the company’s commercial operations and development.
Proud to Serve
During Challenging Times
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, Doughty Cakes was designated an essential business within the food supply chain. Despite the unprecedented challenges, the company proudly played its part in ensuring the continued availability of baked goods to local convenience retailers — a reflection of its deep commitment to service and community
The Future
is Bright
Today, Doughty Cakes remains proudly under family leadership. Carl and Martin continue to steer the company forward, upholding the founding principles that have defined the business for over four decades: Service, Quality, and Value. With an eye on innovation and a heart rooted in tradition, Doughty Cakes looks to the future with confidence and pride.
The Legacy
At Doughty Cakes
Family has always been at the heart of everything we do. Carl and Martin have built the business on shared values of quality, care, and togetherness — values they are proud to see carried forward by the next generation. Carl’s son, Josh, has already joined the company and is developing his leadership skills as he prepares to take his place within the senior management team. Martin, who has a young family, looks forward to the day when his children too will have the opportunity to contribute to the future of Doughty Cakes. Together, Carl and Martin are committed to ensuring that Doughty Cakes remains a family-led business, where tradition, passion, and integrity continue to shape its success for generations to come.