The collective catering market - Germany (2023)

1.2 Sustainable global growth

The global communal catering market is experiencing steady growth momentum from **** to ****, as shown by the available data. The catering market, which reflects the overall performance of the industry, records an increase in sales in billions of dollars over the period under review. In ****, turnover will reach ***.* billion dollars, rising to an impressive ***.* billion dollars by ****. This development indicates a positive market dynamic driven by increasing demand for contract catering services worldwide.

Figure * visualizes the steady increase in sales in the global catering market. This chart impressively illustrates how sales figures are increasing from year to year. The continued positive growth trend could be due to various factors, including the increasing importance of mass catering services in different regions, as well as changing eating habits and the increase in events requiring catering services.

Mass catering market World, ****-****, billion dollars Imarcgroup

In addition to the overall market, we take a closer look at the school cafeteria market, which is a specific sector within the mass catering industry.

The school cafeteria market also shows a significant increase in revenue in billion dollars over the forecast period from **** to ****. The revenue curve increases from **.** billion dollars in **** to **.** billion dollars in ****, reflecting a ...

1.3 The German market

The market for communal catering in Germany is significantly influenced by the ** largest contract caterers, whose sales performance in the years **** to **** provides an interesting insight into the industry. The following data illustrates the financial performance in millions of euros for various segments:

Turnover development of the ** largest contract caterers Germany, ****-****, in € million Source: ****

Company restaurants:

The turnover development of company restaurants shows a significant decrease from € **** million in **** to € **** million in ****. This decrease of € *** million within three years could be due to various factors, including the impact of the COVID-** pandemic, changes in working habits and locations as well as general economic trends.

Clinics/hospitals:

Sales in this segment have remained comparatively stable, with a slight decrease from €*** million in **** to €*** million in ****. This relative stability could be due to the constant demand for catering services in healthcare facilities, while external influences such as pandemics and economic uncertainties have had a more limited impact.

Retirement homes:

Although retirement homes saw some decline in revenue - from €*** million in **** to €*** million in **** - this segment remains significant. Demographic factors, such as the ageing population, as well as specific requirements for catering in retirement homes could play a role here.

Schools/cafeterias/daycare ...

1.4 Price trends and the influence of the Ukraine conflict

Price trends in the canteen market in Germany are influenced by various factors, including geopolitical events such as the Ukraine conflict. An important indicator to understand the changes in canteen prices is the Consumer Price Index (***). In this section, we will look at the data from **** to **** and in particular analyze the impact of the Ukraine conflict on the price gap in percent compared to ****.

Consumer price index: canteens Germany, ****-****, price gap in percent compared to **** Source: ****

Analysis of price trends:

March **** to December ****: During this period, the price gap was relatively stable, with a slight decrease in March ****. This could be due to initial uncertainties and changes in consumer behavior at the beginning of the COVID-** pandemic.

March **** to December ****: From March ****, the price gap gradually increased, reaching an increase of **.*% in December **** compared to ****. This significant increase could be due to various factors, including increased costs for food, energy and labor.

Influence of the Ukraine conflict: A noticeable change can be seen from March ****, when the price gap increased significantly in connection with the Ukraine conflict. The uncertainty and geopolitical tensions may have led to increased costs for commodities, especially food imports. This may have contributed to a ...

2.1 Demand-driving sectors and determinants

The communal catering market in Germany is driven by three major sectors:

Company catering (***)

Hospitals and home catering (***)

Canteens/schools/daycare centers (***)

Company catering

Business catering is the largest sector of communal catering in Germany. It comprises the catering of employees in companies, public authorities and other organizations. The demand for company catering is driven by various factors, including

The size of companies: larger companies are more likely to have a company canteen or restaurant.In ****, there were around *.* million companies and **.* million employees in Germany.[***]

The industry: In certain industries, such as the automotive industry or healthcare, company catering is particularly widespread.

The work culture: In companies with a family-friendly work culture, company catering is perceived as an important factor for employee retention and satisfaction.

Hospitals and home catering

Clinics and home catering covers the catering of patients, residents and employees in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. in ****, there were **** clinics in Germany with a capacity for ***,*** patients.[***]The demand for hospital and nursing home catering is driven by various factors, including

Demographic trends: the ageing population is leading to an increasing demand for care places and therefore also for catering in care homes.

Quality requirements: Patients and ...

2.2 Development of demand / company catering

The available data on the number of medium-sized and large companies in Germany in the period from **** to **** shows interesting developments in the market for mass catering. Medium-sized companies, defined by up to *** employees and up to ** million euros in turnover, and large companies, which have either more than *** employees or more than ** million euros in turnover, are experiencing different trends.

Medium-sized companies:

From **** to ****, there is a slight increase from **.** thousand to **.** thousand medium-sized companies. In ****, there is a significant decline to **.** thousand, which is due to the effects of the COVID-** pandemic. There is then a marked increase in ****, where the figure rises to **.** thousand. This could indicate an economic recovery or new business developments.

Large companies:

The number of large companies shows a moderate increase from **** to ****, from **.** thousand to **.** thousand. similar to medium-sized companies, the number of large companies also recorded a decline to **.** thousand in **** due to the COVID-** pandemic. In ****, there is a notable increase to **.** thousand, which could indicate a possible economic recovery and expansion of large companies.

The significant decline in **** can largely be attributed to the uncertainties and economic turmoil in the wake of the COVID-** pandemic. The increase in **** indicates a ...

2.3 Development of demand/hospitals and nursing homes

To analyze the communal catering market in Germany, we look at the development of the number of nursing homes and hospitals in ****, **** and ****.

Number of nursing homes and hospitals Germany, ****-****, number in thousands Source: ****

*. Development of the number of nursing homes:

The number of nursing homes in Germany has risen steadily from **** to ****, from **.** thousand to **.** thousand. This growth could be due to various factors, including increasing demand due to the ageing population and increased efforts to provide high-quality care facilities.

*. Development of the number of hospitals:

In contrast, the number of hospitals has decreased slightly over the same period, from *.** thousand in **** to *.** thousand in ****. This decrease could be due to several factors, including possibly optimization of healthcare delivery, closure of smaller facilities and a shift to more specialized centers.

Analysis in relation to the community catering market:

The increasing number of care homes suggests that demand for communal catering services in this type of facility could increase. With an ageing population, the need for high-quality catering services in care homes is also increasing. Companies that specialize in communal catering could therefore take advantage of this growing demand by extending their services to nursing homes or developing ...

2.4 Development of demand/ universities

In the market analysis for the communal catering market in Germany, particularly in connection with universities, this graph shows the number of universities in the years ****/** to ****/**.

Number of universities Germany, ****-****

The data shows a relatively stable number of universities in Germany over the period under review. In ****/** and ****/**, the number remains constant at *** universities. In ****/**, there is a minimal increase to *** universities.

Stability of the number of universities: The stability of the number of universities could indicate that there were no significant changes in the overall structure of the higher education system during this period. This could have an influence on the consistency or changes in the demand for communal catering services.

Small change in the last year: The small increase in ****/** could indicate a possible long-term trend. This could mean that the requirements for communal catering services at universities could increase slightly in the future.

The stability in the number of universities suggests that the demand for institutional catering services in this sector could remain at a consistent level. Companies in the contract catering industry may need to tailor their services to the specific needs and requirements of universities. Working closely with educational institutions and adapting to potential ...

3.1 A relatively concentrated market

In the period from **** to ****, the number of caterers in the German communal catering market showed a significant decline. In ****, there were still **.** thousand caterers, while this figure had fallen to **.** thousand by ****.

This downward trend indicates a consolidation of the market. Fewer players could indicate increased market concentration, with larger companies possibly being more dominant or the industry being increasingly dominated by a few key players. This development could be due to various factors, including intense competition, changing consumer preferences, or possibly external influences such as the impact of global events or regulatory changes.

The declining number of caterers could also indicate industry consolidation, with smaller companies potentially struggling to survive in a highly competitive environment. Strategic adjustments within the industry could be at play, such as mergers, acquisitions or increased efforts to diversify.

The available data provides a basis for recognizing that the mass catering market in Germany is undergoing a transformation that is affecting players and competitive dynamics. Companies in this sector may be called upon to adapt their strategies accordingly in order to continue to operate successfully in this changing environment.

Number of caterers

3.2 Market leader on the German market

To gain an insight into the hierarchy of the leading companies in the German contract catering market, let's take a look at the **** data reflecting the number of contracts in different fields of activity.

Graphical representation of the largest catering companies in Germany by number of contracts in different fields of activity in ****

Largest catering companies in Germany Germany, ****, by number of contracts in fields of activity

The chart illustrates the dominant players in the German mass catering market in **** and their respective presence in different sectors. Here are some key points to note:

*.Compass Group Deutschland GmbH: Compass Group stands out as the market leader, particularly in company restaurants, schools/canteens/daycare centers and retirement homes. With *** contracts in company restaurants, the Compass Group has a clear market dominance in this segment.

*.Aramark Holdings GmbH & Co KG: Aramark also has a strong presence in company restaurants and retirement homes. Although they have fewer contracts than Compass Group, their position in the market is still significant.

*.Sodexo Services GmbH: Sodexo has successfully positioned itself in various segments, particularly in schools/canteens/daycare centers and company restaurants. The number of contracts in these areas reflects its broad market acceptance.

*.Klüh ...

3.3 Distribution

The catering service can be divided into two categories according to the method of serving food. The two types of systems are:

Conventional system: meals are prepared and cooked in the same facility where they are later distributed. Each kitchen therefore operates independently of the others, as all preparation takes place in-house. On-site preparation often allows for greater flexibility in menu development and a quicker response to changes in demand, resulting in less food waste. Deferred system: Preparation takes place in large production centers, known as "central kitchens". The meals are then transported to the distribution point where they are cooked and served to the population. Systems in which meals are partially or fully prepared in a central kitchen and then transported to other distribution points are an emerging trend. Centralized kitchens can provide hot meals (***), pre-cooked chilled meals that are reheated for distribution, or composite meals with pre-processed cold components that are prepared on site.

Centralized kitchens can save on labor costs, as the caterer can employ fewer skilled workers in the on-site kitchens, but there are usually additional transportation costs. While the conventional system saves on transportation costs, it requires more manpower in the kitchens and the availability of ...

4.1 The products offered

This data provides an insight into the variety of options on offer in communal catering in Germany in ****. The relevance of vegetarian and vegan alternatives is particularly clear in company canteens and campus catering.

In company canteens, a veggie currywurst is offered as an alternative in almost **% of cases. This shows a significant presence of meat-free options in this sector. In addition, around **% of company restaurants are planning to introduce this alternative in the near future. On the other hand, around **% state that there are no plans to introduce a veggie currywurst. These figures illustrate a certain ambivalence in the acceptance of vegetarian alternatives in company canteens.

In campus catering, there is an even clearer trend towards the integration of vegetarian options. Here, an impressive **% of establishments already offer a veggie currywurst, while a further **.*% plan to include this in their menu. Only **.*% state that they have no plans to introduce a vegetarian currywurst. This data reflects a high level of openness and demand for meat-free alternatives in campus catering.

Is a veggie currywurst offered as an alternative in canteens? Germany, ****, in % Source: ****

The variety of options on offer in company canteens in **** shows a broad focus on vegetarian and vegan ...

4.2 New trends in offers

Foodservice offerings are constantly evolving, not only to attract new customers, but also to provide better service and higher quality meals. Here are the main trends in the offerings:

Entico Street Food: Some companies operating in this industry have launched several ethnic cuisine projects to meet the demand for more appetizing and diverse food.[***]

Sustainable offerings: In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on healthy and sustainable food. This includes the integration of organic and local products in menus and an increased reduction in food waste. [***]

Personalization: Apps for smartphones and tablets allow all users to find out about the offers of the day, choose their favorite dish and pay for it without leaving the office. It is also possible to leave comments and suggestions and express your opinion. [***]

Expanding the offer: Also due to government regulations, mass catering is expanding the variety of its menus both on a daily basis and in the weekly program.[***]

4.3 Prices

The chart shows the price trend by court category at canteens in German cities in ****. The average prices per court (***) vary considerably between cities:

Prices by court category at canteens in German cities Germany, ****, price in € per dish Source: ****

The average total prices range from €*.** in Regensburg to €*.** in Hamburg. A closer look at the categories reveals interesting differences:

Meat & fish dishes:

Prices for meat & fish dishes vary considerably, from €*.** in Regensburg to €*.** in Hamburg. The high price in Berlin is striking, while cities such as Regensburg and Düsseldorf have comparatively low prices.

Vegan dishes:

For vegan dishes, prices range from €*.** in Münster to €*.** in Aachen. Dresden and Düsseldorf have lower average prices here, while Aachen is conspicuously expensive.

Vegetarian dishes:

Vegetarian dishes show a similar variance, with prices ranging from €*.** in Düsseldorf to €*.** in Freiburg. Overall, the data reflects the diversity of the price situation in the different cities, with local factors and culinary trends appearing to play a decisive role.

The available data on prices in communal catering in German cities in **** provides an insight into the diversity and complexity of this market. The average prices per dish show considerable differences between cities, with local ...

5.1 Laws and regulations

The mass catering market in Germany is regulated by a large number of statutory regulations and standards. These regulations serve to protect the health and safety of consumers and to ensure a high standard of quality.

European regulations

The European Union has issued a number of regulations that apply to mass catering in all member states. These include, among others:

Food Hygiene Regulation (***): The LMHV regulates the hygiene requirements for the production, processing and marketing of food.[***]

Allergen Labeling Ordinance (***): The LMIDV stipulates that food allergens must be labeled in the list of ingredients. [***]

Regulation on food information requirements (***): The LMIV regulates the labeling of foods, in particular the indication of nutritional information and allergens. [***]

National regulations

In addition to the European regulations, the Federal Government has issued a series of national regulations that apply to communal catering in Germany. These include, among others:

Vocational Training Act (***): The BBiG regulates vocational training in Germany, including training in communal catering.[***]

Working Hours Act (***): The ArbZG regulates the working hours of employees, including employees in communal catering.[***]

Social Security Code V (***): SGB V regulates health insurance in Germany, including health insurance for employees in communal catering.[***]

Control and monitoring

Compliance with the statutory ...

6.1 Some players in the sector

• Compass Group Deutschland
• Aramark Deuschland
• Sodexo Services GmbH
• Klüh Catering GmbH
• Apetito Catering
• Dussmann-Service Deutschland
• SV (Deutschland) GmbH
• Primus Service
• Genuss & Harmonie Holding
• Procuratio
• Victor’s Health Care Catering
• Consortium Gastronomie GmbH
• API Restauration