OH MY COD (2020) LIMITED

Executive Summary

OH MY COD (2020) LIMITED is a small player in the competitive UK takeaway food sector, exhibiting significant financial weakness with persistent negative equity and working capital deficits. These financial challenges limit its ability to leverage growth trends such as digital ordering and delivery services, placing it at a disadvantage relative to typical industry competitors who maintain healthier balance sheets and operational capacity.

OH MY COD (2020) LIMITED - Analysis Report

Company Number: 12417637

Analysis Date: 2025-07-20 18:34 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   OH MY COD (2020) LIMITED operates in SIC code 56103, which covers "Take-away food shops and mobile food stands." This sector is part of the broader Food and Beverage Service Activities industry. Key characteristics include high competition, low entry barriers, typically small-scale operations, and reliance on local market demand. Margins in this sector tend to be thin due to costs of raw materials, labour, and regulatory compliance related to food safety. The sector is sensitive to consumer trends such as demand for convenience, health-conscious options, and increasingly, digital ordering and delivery services.

2. Relative Performance
   The company is a private limited entity incorporated in 2020 and classified as a small company given the absence of detailed turnover data but inferred from asset size and number of employees (average zero to one). The financials show persistent negative net current assets and shareholders' funds (approximately -£19,115), indicating ongoing losses or liabilities exceeding assets. Current liabilities stand at £18,251 against negligible current assets (-£863), reflecting poor liquidity and working capital strain. This is well below industry norms where even small takeaway operations typically maintain positive working capital and modest retained earnings. The company also reports virtually no cash on hand (£1) and negative debtors, suggesting accounting adjustments or potential receivables issues.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The takeaway food sector has faced significant challenges and opportunities in recent years. Rising costs for ingredients, labour shortages, and inflationary pressures have squeezed margins industry-wide. On the other hand, trends such as the growth of online ordering, third-party delivery platforms, and consumer demand for diverse or healthier fast food options have created growth potential for agile operators. However, smaller players like OH MY COD may struggle to invest in technology and marketing to capitalize on these trends. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in consumer behaviour, with increased demand for takeaways but also heightened competition and operational complexities regarding hygiene and safety.

4. Competitive Positioning
   OH MY COD (2020) appears to be a niche micro/small player with limited scale and financial resources. It lacks the financial robustness to withstand market volatility or invest in growth initiatives such as digital ordering platforms or menu diversification. Compared to typical competitors in the takeaway sector, which often maintain positive working capital and some retained earnings, this company’s negative equity position and working capital deficits are concerning. The absence of employees (average zero) suggests limited operational capacity, possibly relying on owner-operator model or underutilization of resources. This weak financial footing reduces competitive resilience versus larger or more established local takeaway businesses that can leverage economies of scale, brand recognition, and streamlined supply chains.

Executive Summary:
OH MY COD (2020) LIMITED operates as a small-scale takeaway food business in a highly competitive and cost-sensitive sector. Its negative net assets and working capital indicate financial distress uncommon among typical sector peers who maintain positive equity and liquidity to support daily operations. Without strategic investment or operational improvements, the company faces challenges capitalizing on industry growth trends and competing effectively against better-capitalized rivals.