Black Milk
Black Milk is a Manchester-based food brand producing award-winning nut spreads (pistachio, hazelnut, white chocolate) and operating a flagship dessert café, with distribution through major UK retailers, B2B wholesale, and corporate events catering.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Black Milk does
Black Milk is a Manchester-based food and beverage company operating a hybrid business model that combines premium nut spread production, a flagship dessert café, B2B wholesale, and events catering. The company produces award-winning nut spreads — Hazelnut Cream (20% hazelnut), Sicilian-inspired Pistachio Cream (20% pistachio), and Madagascan Vanilla & White Chocolate Spread — manufactured in Italy to IFS Level 8 and BRC AA food safety standards, with the 2025 launch of a higher-tier Double Pistachio Cream containing 40% pistachio. Its core technology is nut spread production with RSPO-certified oils and natural flavorings, supported by a recipe content library of more than 31 pages that drives organic content marketing.
The company generates revenue through four interconnected streams: (1) direct-to-consumer e-commerce via blackmilkcereal.com with a 10% subscription discount on a 4-week delivery cadence, (2) a flagship dessert café at 88 Oldham Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter offering milkshakes, pancakes, desserts, and barista coffees, (3) B2B wholesale supplying 3kg catering tubs and 20kg bulk containers (from £3,120) to food operators and manufacturers, and (4) events catering with a £1,000 minimum booking, serving festivals (BST Hyde Park), retail activations (Selfridges, Topshop Freshers Tour), and corporate clients (Boohoo, LadBible, WeWork, Social Chain, Pretty Little Thing).
Black Milk serves both consumer and enterprise segments. Primary consumers are individual home users purchasing through D2C and retailers including Selfridges, Ocado, Tesco, Co-op, Go Puff, Booths, and Amazon for breakfast, baking, and dessert applications. Enterprise customers include event organizers, corporate clients, and food manufacturers. The company was founded in 2017, operates with 11-50 employees, and received investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II in September 2024 to fund expansion and brand collaborations.
Black Milk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Milk
- Legal name
- Black Milk
- Website
- https://blackmilkcereal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Black Milk is a Manchester-based food brand producing award-winning nut spreads (pistachio, hazelnut, white chocolate) and operating a flagship dessert café, with distribution through major UK retailers, B2B wholesale, and corporate events catering.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Milk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Nut Spreads
- NAICS
- Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)
- SIC
- Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAL)
Keywords
Where Black Milk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Black Milk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Consumer E-commerce Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer online sales of nut spreads (230g jars) and catering sizes through blackmilkcereal.com. One-time purchases and subscription model with 10% recurring discount. Products include Hazelnut Cream, Pistachio Cream, White Chocolate Spread, and Double Pistachio Cream.
- Physical Café Operations: Flagship dessert café in Manchester Northern Quarter offering luxury milkshakes, pancakes, desserts, and barista-prepared coffees. Café serves as both revenue stream and brand awareness driver.
- Events Catering: Mobile catering service for events including Selfridges activations, festival catering (BST Hyde Park), retail tours (Topshop Freshers), and corporate office pop-ups. Minimum booking £1,000. Fully pre-paid events only.
- B2B Wholesale & Catering: Bulk supply to food operators, manufacturers, and retailers. Products sold in 3kg catering tubs and 20kg bulk containers (from £3,120). Retail packs (6x jars) for stockists. Retailer pricing at £4 per jar with £5.45-£6.99 RRP.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 230g retail jars - Hazelnut Cream |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 230g retail jars - Pistachio Cream |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 230g retail jars - White Chocolate Spread |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Café Gift Cards |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription Model |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 3kg Catering Tubs - B2B |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 20kg Bulk Catering - B2B |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels12 records
Marketing channels9 records
Black Milk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Milk manufactures and sells premium nut spreads (Hazelnut Cream, Pistachio Cream, Madagascan Vanilla & White Chocolate Spread, and Double Pistachio Cream) in retail jars, 3kg catering tubs, and 20kg bulk containers. The company also operates a flagship dessert café in Manchester's Northern Quarter serving milkshakes, pancakes, desserts and barista coffees, and provides mobile events catering (minimum booking £1,000) for corporate and festival clients.
Product overview
Black Milk operates as a food and beverage company offering two interconnected product lines: premium nut spreads and a dessert café experience. The core product portfolio consists of three award-winning nut spreads (Hazelnut Cream, Pistachio Cream, and Madagascan Vanilla & White Chocolate Spread) available in retail jars (230g), catering tubs (3kg, 20kg), and bundle packs. A new Double Pistachio Cream variant was launched in 2025 with double the pistachio content. The company also operates a flagship dessert café in Manchester's Northern Quarter offering milkshakes, pancakes, baked goods, and coffee, while providing events catering services with mobile units. The business sells gift cards for café use and has expanded into major UK retailers including Selfridges, Tesco, Ocado, Co-op, and GoPuff.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hazelnut Cream Premium hazelnut and white chocolate nut spread inspired by Northern Italy. Available in 230g retail jars, 3kg catering tubs, and 20kg bulk catering containers. Features 20% hazelnut content and is Great Taste Award-recognized. Intended for home breakfast, baking, and B2B ingredient use.
- Pistachio Cream Award-winning Sicilian-inspired pistachio nut spread containing 20% pistachio. Available in 230g retail jars, 3kg catering tubs, and 20kg bulk containers. Has received two stars at the Great Taste Awards. Intended for home consumers, retailers, and food operators.
- Madagascan Vanilla & White Chocolate Spread Luxurious white chocolate spread infused with Madagascan vanilla. Available in 230g retail jars and 3kg catering tubs. Gluten-free product made in Sicily, Italy. Intended for home consumption and commercial catering use.
- Double Pistachio Cream Intensified version of the award-winning Pistachio Cream with 40% pistachio content, double the nut content of the standard formula. Features rich Sicilian-inspired pistachio flavor. Available in 230g jars for retail consumers.
- Three Spreads Pack Subscription bundle pack containing one 230g jar each of Pistachio Cream, Hazelnut Cream, and Madagascan Vanilla & White Chocolate Spread, offered at savings compared to individual purchase. Designed for consumers seeking variety and as a subscription entry product.
- Black Milk Cafe Gift Card Digital gift card for use at the Manchester café only. Available in denominations from £18 to £50. Does not expire and cannot be exchanged for cash. Intended as a gifting product for café visitors.
- Dessert Café Services Award-winning dessert café located in Manchester's Northern Quarter at 88 Oldham St. Offers luxury milkshakes, pancakes, homemade bakes, barista-prepared coffees, and desserts. Also available for venue hire and events catering. Serves individual café visitors in the Manchester area.
- Events Catering Mobile catering service offering freshly baked treats, milkshakes, vegan shakes, and ice cream for events. Operates via freestanding counter, ice cream trike, or vintage Citroën van. Past clients include Selfridges, Boohoo, Social Chain, Topshop, BST Hyde Park. Minimum booking £1,000, fully pre-paid.
- Venue Hire Manchester café space available for private hire, film location shoots, and events, including full catering options. Targeted at event organizers, brands, and production companies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Tens of thousands of event guests served over 7 years
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Black Milk
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Black Milk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Black Milk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- SelfridgesflagshipBlack Milk spreads stocked in Selfridges premium department stores. Black Milk has conducted in-store activations at Selfridges Trafford Centre and Manchester locations, serving ice cream and shakes.
- OcadocoreBlack Milk Hazelnut Cream and Pistachio Cream available for online purchase through Ocado.com.
- TescocoreExclusive Black Milk Pistachio & White Chocolate cake available at selected Tesco Extra stores.
- Co-opcoreBlack Milk Pistachio Cream and Hazelnut Cream available from selected Co-op stores.
- Go PuffminorBlack Milk Hazelnut Cream and Pistachio Cream available on GoPuff quick commerce platform.
- Modern Milk ManminorBlack Milk Hazelnut Cream and Pistachio Cream delivered through Modern Milk Man subscription service.
- CarnationminorRecipe collaboration with Carnation to create the Hazelnut Cream Stuffed Cookies recipe. Carnation provided caramel for the recipe and co-marketing through TikTok and social media.
- Barclaycard British Summer Time Hyde ParkflagshipBlack Milk catered to thousands of festival-goers at BST Hyde Park, one of the UK's biggest outdoor events.
- Topshopflagship6-city, 2-week Northern Freshers Tour at Topshop's largest stores across the Midlands and North of England. 1,800 guests delighted per city, 300 shakes served per city.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Black Milk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pip & Nut: UK-founded premium nut butter brand selling hazelnut, almond, and peanut butters via grocery, café, and DTC channels. Closely comparable on premium positioning, UK distribution, and nutritionally-led spread portfolio.
- Fix & Fogg: New Zealand-origin premium nut butter brand selling into UK and international retail with award-winning nut spreads and butters. Comparable on artisanal positioning, multi-format packaging, and DTC-plus-retail distribution.
- Justin's: US premium nut butter and almond butter spread brand (owned by Hormel) with strong DTC and grocery presence. Comparable on premium nut-spread positioning and flavor-forward product extensions.
- Meridian Foods: UK manufacturer of nut butters and free-from spreads sold across mainstream UK grocery. Directly comparable in product format (jars of nut-based spreads) and UK grocery distribution footprint.
- Duerr's: Heritage UK preserves and spreads manufacturer supplying major UK retailers. Comparable on jarred spread products, UK grocery listings, and multi-generational brand-building in the spreads aisle.
- Whole Earth: UK organic/free-from brand selling nut butters, peanut spreads, and preserves across major UK grocery. Comparable on spread-category product mix and mainstream UK supermarket distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Bonne Maman: International premium preserves and spreads brand with a 'Hazelnut Chocolate' spread competing directly in the chocolate-hazelnut spread category. Comparable on premium glass-jar positioning and UK grocery listings.
- Hershey: Major US confectionery incumbent with a chocolate spread range sold globally. Overlaps with Black Milk's chocolate spread products and retail-channel strategy at much larger scale.
- Hotel Chocolat: UK premium chocolate brand combining retail, café, and DTC channels. Comparable on premium UK chocolate positioning, café-as-brand-asset model, and multi-channel consumer engagement.
- Ferrero (Nutella): Global confectionery incumbent whose Nutella brand defines the chocolate-hazelnut spread category Black Milk competes in. Comparable product (chocolate hazelnut spread) and same UK grocery channels, but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Black Milk social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Milk compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Black Milk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Milk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Black Milk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Milk M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Black Milk
What does Black Milk do?
Black Milk manufactures and sells premium nut spreads (Hazelnut Cream, Pistachio Cream, Madagascan Vanilla & White Chocolate Spread, and Double Pistachio Cream) in retail jars, 3kg catering tubs, and 20kg bulk containers. The company also operates a flagship dessert café in Manchester's Northern Quarter serving milkshakes, pancakes, desserts and barista coffees, and provides mobile events catering (minimum booking £1,000) for corporate and festival clients.
Is Black Milk a public or private company?
Black Milk is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Black Milk founded?
Black Milk was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Black Milk based?
Black Milk is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Black Milk make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Consumer E-commerce Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are physical Café Operations, events Catering and B2B Wholesale & Catering.
Who are Black Milk's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pip & Nut, Fix & Fogg, Justin's, Meridian Foods, Duerr's and Whole Earth. Broad incumbents are Bonne Maman, Hershey, Hotel Chocolat and Ferrero (Nutella).
Does Black Milk have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Milk.
What industry is Black Milk in?
Black Milk's product category is Specialty Nut Spreads. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAKAL, Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 3113 and its SIC code is 2060.