Germany’s leading foodservice companies
A detailed analysis with numerous data points, facts, and company insights.
McDonald’s
Germany’s market leader achieved an estimated net turnover of €4.8 billion in 2023—€600 million or 14.3% more than the previous year. This results in an average turnover per store of approximately €3.4 million. “An outstanding year,” confirmed the company headquarters. As of December 31, 2023, the QSR professional had 1,386 units, 40 fewer than the previous year: 59 permanent closures were offset by 19 new openings and 12 renovations. Network consolidation is also planned for 2024, with 28 new openings and 42 additional closures.
Burger King
The estimated sales increase for the market’s second-place brand in 2023 was significantly lower than for most other QSR players, rising by 3.4% (€40 million) to €1.2 billion net. Wallraff’s impact! The average net sales per store amounted to about €1.6 million. Out of approximately 760 restaurants (+10), 615 are run by franchise partners.
Around 25,000 employees work for Burger King Germany. The company continues to successfully push its QSR leadership in alternative proteins, with almost every fifth Whopper and almost every fourth Long Chicken being plant-based today. The brand’s visibility is enhanced by numerous marketing and food truck campaigns (e.g., OMR, Wacken).
Autobahn Tank & Rast
With 419 service stations and rest areas, Germany’s largest traffic gastronomy expert generated an estimated net turnover of €590 million—an increase of 15.7% (€80 million). 386 operations are managed by external parties.
Increased guest numbers compared to the previous year (on par with 2019) contributed to the positive result. A stable business was particularly evident during the summer travel season. Key measures in 2023 included structural modernizations across the entire service station network and the installation of self-order terminals.
ISH Foods Germany
Since the end of 2022, Turkey’s IS Holding has been the master franchisee for Pizza Hut’s business in Germany, with KFC added in 2023. Together, both brands generated a net turnover of €475.6 million—almost 20% more than the previous year. The restaurant network was expanded by 18 units (+12 Pizza Hut; +6 KFC).
KFC experienced particularly strong guest growth. Digital orders accounted for 51% of KFC’s sales, much higher than Pizza Hut’s 21%. Both brands still rely heavily on their restaurants, with Pizza Hut generating 60% of sales on-premise, and KFC generating 46%.
Valora
The food convenience specialist, based in Switzerland, has a portfolio of four German F&B brands: Ditsch, BackWerk, Back-Factory, and—since July 1, 2022—Frittenwerk, whose sales are not yet listed separately in the ranking for 2023. Valora operates 549 outlets (-20) in Germany, 514 of which are managed by external operators. In 2023, they achieved an estimated net turnover of €400 million—a 19.4% increase.
Some highlights include social media activities for brand building and the full digitalization of all Frittenwerk stores with self-order terminals. The self-service bakeries BackWerk and Back-Factory continue to be developed with new concepts and designs, becoming more gastronomic.
Domino’s Pizza
Germany’s leading delivery player once again increased its sales in 2023 by 7% to €393 million net. Compared to 2019 (€235 million), this represents a 67% increase. By the end of 2023, there were five fewer locations than in 2022, but 89 more than in 2019. 83% of orders are now placed digitally. The delivery share (own + service provider) is 75%, with the remainder being take-away and drive. A net turnover of €430 million is targeted for 2024.
Since the first half of 2023, Domino’s Germany has been fully owned by Domino’s Pizza Enterprises (DPE) in Australia, the largest licensee of the parent company outside the USA. A purchase price of nearly €80 million was paid for the remaining shares from Domino’s Pizza Group (DPG).
Edeka Group
Germany’s largest retailer, with over 6,850 stores, has a total of 1,850 gastronomic units, including numerous bakeries in front checkout areas, as well as breakfast, hot counters, lunch tables, and market gastronomy in E-Centers.
The estimated gastro turnover for 2023 was €390 million net—a substantial increase of €100 million or 34.5%, also due to strong unit growth: +200. Increasingly, Edeka locations are taking over regional bakers (as tenants).
L’Osteria
Germany’s leading full-service player, known for its XL pizzas and large, attractive freestanding locations, achieved a sales increase of 14% in 2023, reaching €366 million net—an impressive 76% increase compared to pre-COVID 2019. By the end of the year, there were 138 L’Osteria units in Germany, 7 more than in 2022, and 12 more than in 2019. The average turnover per restaurant in 2023 was around €2.7 million, a significant increase.
Sales development in existing operations: +11% compared to 2022 and +25% compared to 2019. Over 85% of sales are generated on-premise. 2023 was a year of change for L’Osteria, with McWin Capital Partners acquiring the majority stake in January, and long-standing CEO Mirko Silz leaving the company on October 1.
Subway
The sandwich experts in the QSR sector ended 2023 with an estimated net turnover of €360 million, corresponding to a sales increase of 12.5%. 20 new locations were added, bringing the total to 670 units nationwide, of which only a few have drive-thrus (<20). For 2024, 60 new openings are planned, exclusively in prime A & B locations.
In 2023, the company, previously founder-led, was acquired by private equity player Roark Capital. A key innovation introduced at the end of 2023 in Germany is the option for guests to choose from a selection of predefined sandwich creations (Subway Signature Series) in addition to individually composed sandwiches.
SSP
With an estimated net turnover of €310 million, Germany’s second-largest transport gastronomy company achieved an increase of €50 million or 19.2%. SSP operates full-service and quick-service restaurants, cafes, lounges, and grocery stores, mainly at airports and train stations.
Its portfolio includes over 600 locations in 37 countries, featuring more than 550 international, national, and local brands. These include SSP’s own brands like Ida & Frida and Brezelbub, as well as franchise brands like BackWerk, Starbucks, and Burger King. At the end of 2023, SSP Germany had 389 units.
Aral
The traffic gastronomy professionals along Germany’s highways had a dual reason to celebrate in 2023: 100 years of Aral and 10 years of Rewe To Go. The convenience store concept contributes to the corporation’s gastronomic sales, which reached €287 million net in 2023—a 12.5% increase over the previous year (+18.1% compared to 2019).
Both guest numbers and average receipts increased compared to 2022. 63% of sales are generated with food (drinks: 37%).
Ikea
Germany is the most profitable country for the Swedish furniture giant. Their foodservice sales increased by 30.5% in the past fiscal year (ending August 31) to €265.7 million (restaurant & bistros plus Swedish shop) with no change in the number of outlets (54).
Significant increases in guest numbers in existing operations compared to 2022 and guest growth compared to 2019 were observed. Sustainable efforts: Since October 2022, all plant-based alternatives in bistros and restaurants have been priced lower than corresponding animal protein products. Approximately 30% of the offerings are plant-based. Target for 2050: net-zero emissions.
Nordsee
Despite further shrinking its unit network from 309 to 295 locations, the German quick-service player increased its net sales by 22.3% to €214 million. However, the fish and seafood specialist is still far from its 2019 sales (€283 million).
Guest numbers remained unchanged compared to the previous year, but there was a significant decline compared to the pre-COVID year. The sales distribution is 91% food and 9% beverages. About half of the guests consume their meals on-site. Since September 2022, Nordsee has been part of QSRP, a quick-service restaurant platform under the Belgian financial investor Kharis Capital.
Aramark
Germany’s largest event caterer achieved an estimated sales increase of 38.3% in the first normal year after COVID-19, with the net turnover for 2023 in stadiums and arenas, trade fairs, and zoos estimated at €206 million.
There was a significant increase (+45%) compared to the last normal year of 2019 (estimated value: €142 million) with three additional locations; 2023 had 20 units. However, the number of guests has not yet reached pre-COVID levels.
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn generated €203 million in net foodservice revenue in 2023 through its service stores and onboard bistros and restaurants. This represents an increase of €35 million or 20.8% compared to the previous year. The DB Fernverkehr division had a particularly strong year, with revenues rising from €86 million to €110 million, marking a 28% increase compared to 2022 and a 36% increase compared to 2019.
The company recorded significantly higher guest numbers compared to both periods. Reasons for this include increased environmental awareness among the public and a successful restructuring of the food and beverage offerings, which now include more organic, vegetarian, and sustainable products as well as collaborations with young brands.
Block Gruppe
The total net gastronomic revenue of the northern German hospitality company amounted to €202.1 million—an increase of €29.7 million or 17.2% compared to the previous year. This is a 14.1% increase compared to pre-COVID levels, with five more restaurants than in 2019.
As of December 31, 2023, the group operated 68 units, including:
- 46 Block House Restaurants with an annual net revenue of €153.7 million, an 18.1% increase, reflecting higher guest numbers compared to the previous year but fewer than in 2019. In existing locations, there was a 16.3% increase compared to 2022, with strong growth in the first five months and an exceptional finish in the last two months of 2023.
- 11 Jim Block locations with annual net revenue of €19.9 million (10.8% increase).
- Seven dining units at the Grand Elysee with annual net revenue of €16.8 million (15.2% increase).
The company’s total net revenue in 2023 was €493 million.
Gastro & Soul
Eighty-two units (-7) across three established brands contributed to a total net revenue of €190.7 million in 2023, an increase of 6.7% (€11.9 million). The largest share came from 44 Vapiano units with €93.5 million, as Gastro & Soul has been the master franchisee for Vapiano in Germany since 2020. The 32 Café Del Sol locations generated nearly €83 million in net revenue, while six Bavaria Alm locations contributed €14.2 million net to the overall result.
There was an increase in average receipts with unchanged guest numbers compared to 2022, but the 2019 guest level has not yet been reached. Key measures in 2023 included further investments in digital guest journey and CRM programs.
Concept Family
The name change of the Munich-based company earlier this year reflects a clear commitment to a multi-brand strategy. Eight brands, along with 19 individual and large-scale concepts, and a new ghost kitchen contributed to a total net revenue of €185.2 million in 2023. Overall, the group grew by 17.4%, with nearly 15% growth on existing surfaces.
The group’s strongest revenue concept, which was the namesake until the end of 2023, is Enchilada, with 28 locations and annual revenue of €40.1 million, followed by Burgerheart with €30.1 million in net revenue for 2023. Aposto (€27.0 million / 13 units) and Wilma Wunder (€22.2 million / 9 units) also achieved revenues in the tens of millions. The all-day concept now has 9 units, two more than the previous year. A Besitos location was converted to Wilma in 2023. The family also includes 4 Lehner’s, 4 Pepe Pizza, 3 Wirtshaus Freunde, and a total of 20 individual and large-scale concepts. Additionally, a dark kitchen pilot store, Eat-Tasty, was developed in Mainz in 2023, where delivery customers can order from the entire Concept Family’s menu.
Hans im Glück
The full-service burger concept generated €172.0 million in net revenue in 2023, €22.5 million or 15.1% more than the previous year, with the same number of stores (83 units; one opening, one closure in 2023). Compared to pre-COVID levels, this is a 28.7% increase with nine additional stores. In 2023, revenue development in existing locations increased by 21% compared to 2019, reflecting a 23% increase.
There was a significant increase in guest numbers compared to 2022. Three-quarters of all revenue is generated from burgers and similar items, with beverages accounting for 25%. 90% of revenue is generated on-premise, with 7% from take-away and 3% from delivery. Nationwide, approximately 3,000 employees work for Hans im Glück.
Shell
The second largest mineral oil company among traffic gastronomy providers achieved an estimated net foodservice revenue of €170 million in 2023, an increase of 9.7% with 1,045 units. Selected Shell Café bakeries collaborate with Too Good To Go, with the 330,000th surprise bag from the food rescuers passing over the Shell sales counter in November 2023.
