While Germany has long been considered a country offering many traditional dishes, there are now an increasing number of restaurants popping up that are bringing new flavours to the table.
The country is a playground for hospitality entrepreneurs, and we have the proof: a round-up of the 57 expanding restaurant businesses with solid concepts and strong operations. You’ll find everything and anything: classic burger joints, steakhouses and pizzerias, but also cat temples and American diners. But even within the same category, you’ll find very distinctive brand personalities.
Ready for a deep dive? In no particular order – let’s go…
Hans im Glück
93 Outlets
Burgers
Full Service
Germany, Austria and Switzerland
In the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale Hans in Luck, Hans starts his journey with a big piece of gold, which he trades down for things of lesser value. Eventually he remains with nothing, but he’s happier than ever. Burger chain Hans im Glück embraces the same less is more philosophy for its burgers: only fresh ingredients and the highest quality. You don’t really need anything more to be happy. Hans im Glück offers a creative interpretation of the ‘burger’ for the health-conscious crowd.
United Curry
120+ Outlets
Currywurst
Quick Service
Germany
If you ever had a currywurst in Germany, chances are it was at one of United Curry’s franchises: Wurst Teufel, Grillbar, GrillGut, or Bratwerk. United Curry has a systematic approach to creating and managing different brands of the typical German snack. Aspiring franchisees will find different types of locations for all settings: food stalls and mobile food trucks for areas with high foot traffic, and mini counters and larger bars for train stations, supermarkets, and petrol stations.
Immergrün
70 Outlets
Vegetarian
Fast Casual
Germany
Immergrün is evergreen food for fresh people. This vegetarian concept started out in 2005 in Berlin as a juice and smoothie bar. 17 years later, the chain has evolved into a go-to place for vegans, vegetarians, and also omnivores who want to take a break from meat and enjoy salads, falafels or wraps made to order with ultra-fresh ingredients.
Nordsee GmbH
370+ Outlets
Seafood
Fast Casual
Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium, France
Not many modern restaurant chains can claim to have been in the business for more than 120 years. Nordsee is one of them. Founded in 1896 as a fishery and wholesaler, in 1964 it opened the first seafood restaurant/fish shop — where one could eat seafood-based meals or buy raw seafood to take home — and grew very rapidly from there. Today, Nordsee operates solely as a seafood retailer and restaurant, with more than 370 stores worldwide and the same passion for fresh sustainable seafood.
Kochlöffel
80+ Outlets
Fried Chicken, Burgers
Quick Service
Germany
The wooden spoon is a simple but evocative image of what this chain of snack restaurants stands for: home, and not just for the honest-to-goodness grilled chicken and currywurst, but also for the values of trust, care, and friendliness that this family business – run by the second generation – has put forward for more than 60 years. The Kochlöffel chain has about 80 outlets and is actively looking for new franchisees.
Frittenwerk
30 Outlets
French Fries and Salads
Fast Casual
Germany
True to their battle cry ‘Fries before guys’, at Frittenwerk they love fries and won’t apologize for it. The menu features three types of dishes served in many different versions: poutine (French fries topped by cheese and gravy), various fried snacks, and salads for the cholesterol-conscious. The level of Frittenpride is such that this chain also has a whole range of merchandise (t-shirts, sweaters, bags, and even gold chains) dedicated to their love for the humble spud, fried like the French (or is it the Belgian?) do.