Frittenwerk

Germany-wide leading fast-casual dining chain becomes part of Swiss foodvenience provider Valora

DZ BANK successfully realises sales process in the corona-affected, but still growing fast-casual food service market

DZ BANK AG advises KMS Holding GmbH as exclusive M&A advisor on the sale of Frittenwerk to Swiss foodvenience provider Valora

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Dusseldorf (Germany), Frittenwerk is one of the leading fast-casual dining chains of the German-speaking world with currently 27 stores, an established brand and high marketing competencies. Frittenwerk focusses on modern interpretations of Canada’s snack bar classic, poutine, while the menu is all about innovative dishes containing fries. While Frittenwerk is mainly found in city centres at present, it also has locations in shopping centres and railway stations in large and medium-sized German cities. The restaurant portfolio is still young and secured by long-term rental agreements. Most Frittenwerk restaurants are run as own points of sale, with more than a fifth run by private and institutional franchise partners.  The concept proved to be sound during the COVID-19 crisis and continued to expand strongly with 12 new locations added during the years of the pandemic.

Stock market-listed in Switzerland, Valora is headquartered in Muttenz (Switzerland). With more than 2,700 outlets in Switzerland, Germany, Luxemburg, Austria and the Netherlands, Valora is active in the retail (books, kiosks) as well as the food service space (so far mainly take-away bakery products) in high-frequency locations such as railway stations and airports. Valora will acquire Frittenwerk to become an active player in the attractive fast-casual market. This represents the next strategic step towards experiential dining with familiar self-service processes. Valora aims to continue its expansion in this fast-growing catering segment and profit from the market’s development. Valora sees additional growth opportunities for Frittenwerk particularly through takeaway stores requiring little floor space at high-footfall locations. Expansion abroad is also conceivable. The founders will stay on as Frittenwerk’s managing directors to support the scaling of the business model.

The DZ BANK team consisted of Birgit Meyer zu Selhausen, Rolf Martin Blume, Christian Radtke and Sebastian Baier.

Birgit Meyer zu Selhausen, DZ BANK

"It was an exciting challenge to accompany the owner family through this exciting transaction in times of Covid. We are now all the more delighted about this success and wish Frittenwerk together with Valora a continuation of its rapid development in the European environment!."

Rolf Martin Blume, DZ BANK:

"With Frittenwerk, the founders established a convincing food concept and a strong brand with great potential for further expansion in Germany as well as international. Combined with Valora‘s experience in scaling branch networks we see the ideal preconditions for Frittenwerk for reaching their amibitious goals and for jointly continuing their success story together with Valora."

Further transactions