Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding

What Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding does

Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding is the leading service provider along German autobahns, operating a nationwide network of more than 400 service areas (Raststätten), approximately 360 filling stations, around 50 motorway hotels, and over 21 truck stops (Autohöfe). The company serves approximately 500 million guests annually with more than 12,000 employees deployed across fuel retail, EV charging, gastronomy, accommodation, sanitation, and retail. Its portfolio is organized under multiple sub-brands including Serways (main service brand at 230+ locations), SANIFAIR (sanitary facilities at 400+ sites), Tabilo, EssBar, Gusticus, Brotzeit, ROSI'S Autohöfe, and Serways Hotel.

The company operates Germany's largest long-distance EV fast-charging network with approximately 1,400 charging points developed in partnership with EnBW, E.ON, IONITY, and Mer. Underlying technology includes digital payment systems (Apple Pay), operational optimization apps for logistics, the SANIFAIR touch-free sanitary system, and free Telekom HotSpot WiFi at approximately 350 service areas. The digital content platform 'Momente' (magazine, podcast, and audio formats) has won consecutive German Brand Awards in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Revenue is generated through a franchise-based go-to-market model with medium-sized partners, supplemented by self-operated pilot sites, advertising sales via partner Cittadino GmbH (3,200+ digital screens), and diversified consumer-facing services. Owned since 2015 by a consortium of Allianz Capital Partners, Omers Infrastructure, MEAG, and China Investment Corporation, Tank & Rast has invested over 2 billion EUR in modernization since its 1998 privatization. The legal entity is Autobahn Tank & Rast Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Bonn, Germany.

Name

Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding

Legal name

Autobahn Tank & Rast Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://tank.rast.de/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Autobahn Tank & Rast operates Germany's leading motorway service network with 400+ service areas, 360 filling stations, 50 hotels, and 21 truck stops, serving 500 million annual travelers via a franchise-based model across multiple sub-brands including Serways, SANIFAIR, and a 1,400-point EV fast-charging network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Franchise Operations: Franchise system where Tank & Rast provides operational service stations to independent entrepreneurs who manage day-to-day operations while maintaining brand standards. Revenue comes from franchise fees and lease arrangements.
2. Self-Operated Sites: Direct operation of some service stations to test new concepts and gather operational experience
3. Advertising Revenue: Advertising space rental through approximately 3,200 digital screens, 290 digital city light posters, and 275 travel boards reaching 500 million annual visitors
4. Fuel Sales: Sale of branded fuels, diesel, LPG, engine oils and AdBlue at 360 filling stations
5. Food & Beverage: Catering and food service through restaurants, espresso bars, bakery shops, and take-away concepts at service areas and hotels
6. Hotel Accommodations: Approximately 50 motorway hotels offering overnight accommodation
7. EV Charging: Electric vehicle charging infrastructure at service stations through partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Autobahn Tank & Rast operates the largest motorway service network in Germany through a franchise-based system, comprising approximately 360 filling stations, more than 400 service areas, around 50 motorway hotels and 21 off-motorway truck stops (Autohöfe). Its offering covers branded fuels, EV fast charging at roughly 1,400 charging points, SANIFAIR standardized sanitation, branded restaurant and bakery concepts (Serways, Tabilo, EssBar, Gusticus, Brotzeit), hotel accommodation, truck-driver services and digital out-of-home advertising, serving about 500 million travelers each year.

Product overview

Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding operates Germany's leading motorway service network through a franchise-based model. The portfolio centers on approximately 360 filling stations and over 400 service areas (Raststätten) offering branded fuels (including autogas and AdBlue), retail shops, and diverse dining options. Key sub-brands include Serways (main service brand with 230+ locations), SANIFAIR (sanitary facilities at 400+ locations), Tabilo (contemporary restaurant concept), EssBar (German cuisine reinterpretation), Gusticus (customizable dishes), Brotzeit (bakery shops), and ROSI'S Autohöfe (21+ off-highway truck stops). The company also operates approximately 50 Serways Hotels and has established an e-charging network with around 1,400 charging points through partnerships with IONITY, EnBW, E.ON, and Mer. Digital services include free Telekom WiFi at 350 locations and Apple Pay acceptance. The Momente digital magazine and podcast platform extends brand engagement beyond physical locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Serways: Service stations at motorways offering service and variety in gastronomy, refueling, shopping and overnight accommodation. Over 230 locations on the motorway.
• SANIFAIR
• Tabilo
• ROSI'S
• Serways Hotel
• Brotzeit
• EssBar
• Gusticus

Products and services

• Tank & Rast Service Areas (Raststätten) Over 400 motorway service areas (Raststätten) along German autobahns offering catering, dining, sanitation, shopping, family amenities and rest facilities, operated through a franchise system with medium-sized partners serving approximately 500 million travelers annually.
• Tank & Rast Filling Stations (Tankstellen) Approximately 360 filling stations along German motorways offering branded fuels, autogas (LPG), high-quality engine oils, AdBlue and modern retail shops with coffee bars and snacks, operated by franchise partners.
• Serways Main Tank & Rast service brand operating more than 230 locations on German motorways offering integrated gastronomy, refueling, shopping and overnight accommodation under a standardized quality framework.
• SANIFAIR

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 million annual guests served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung (BGL) e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Unlimited cooperation agreement for SANIFAIR services. BGL represents the German commercial transport and logistics industry, ensuring truck drivers have access to quality sanitation facilities.
• EnBW (Energie Baden-Württemberg)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Partnership for electric vehicle charging infrastructure along German motorways. Together with other partners, approximately 1,400 charging points have been created as part of Germany's largest long-distance EV charging network.
• E.ONcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Partnership for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Jointly developed the approximately 1,400 charging points network enabling long-distance EV travel on German autobahns.
• IONITYcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Fast charging network operator partnership providing high-power charging stations at Tank & Rast locations for long-distance electric vehicle travel.
• MercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014Charging infrastructure partner contributing to the approximately 1,400 charging points network along German motorways.
• Cittadino GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner managing advertising space sales across Tank & Rast network including 3,200 digital screens, 290 digital posters and 275 travel boards reaching 500 million annual visitors.
• Help – Hilfe zur SelbsthilfeminorOthersSocial responsibility partner. Tank & Rast is a sponsor of this organization supporting people in need worldwide since 1981.
• IN FORM – Deutschlands Initiative für gesunde Ernährung und BewegungminorOthersPartnership for healthy nutrition advocacy along German motorways, in cooperation with German Nutrition Society (DGE).
• Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft (BVMW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company promoting small and medium-sized businesses as backbone of German economy. Tank & Rast supports this initiative as a franchise-oriented company.
• Coffee Partners (Segafredo, Coffee Fellows, Lavazza, Dallmayr)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoffee brand partnerships providing approximately 280 espresso bars across the Tank & Rast service network. All coffee variations available for dine-in and take-away.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BP: Global energy major operating motorway filling stations (including the Aral brand in Germany) and a growing EV charging network. Overlaps with Tank & Rast in fuel retailing and EV charging but as part of a much broader upstream/downstream energy portfolio.
• Shell: Global energy major with extensive motorway and roadside filling-station operations plus Shell Recharge EV network. Comparable as a fuel-retail and EV-charging counterparty on motorways, though not a hospitality/services operator.
• TotalEnergies: European energy major with significant motorway and roadside fuel retailing plus EV charging rollout. Competes with Tank & Rast at the forecourt layer on European motorways but without the integrated hospitality/services franchise.

Others

• EnBW: German energy company and one of Tank & Rast's core EV charging partners (EnBW, E.ON, IONITY, Mer together built the ~1,400-point network). Acts as an enabling/infrastructure partner and competitor for charging deployments elsewhere.
• IONITY: Pan-European high-power EV charging joint venture (including EnBW, E.ON, and others) that is both a technology partner at Tank & Rast sites and a competitor for long-distance EV charging sites off-motorway.

Direct peers

• Areas: French motorway food and retail services operator (now part of Elior Group) running motorway service-area restaurants and shops across Europe. Closest comparable in business model: food, retail, and convenience services to travelers at highway rest stops under concession frameworks.
• Applegreen: Irish forecourt and motorway services group operating service areas and filling stations across Ireland, the UK, and the US. Directly comparable business combining fuel retailing with food/hospitality at travel locations.
• Moto: UK motorway services network (part of MFG/Applegreen group) with food, fuel, and hotels across British motorways. Comparable concession-driven motorway hospitality model with similar customer base of long-haul drivers and travelers.
• Welcome Break: UK motorway services operator with ~80 locations offering food courts, fuel, hotels, and parking. Directly comparable as a long-distance motorway hospitality and forecourt operator in a regulated concession environment.
• Autogrill (Avolta): Italian motorway restaurant and retail operator, now merged into Avolta (Dufry/Autogrill). Operates F&B and retail concessions on motorways and at travel hubs across Europe — directly comparable travel-hospitality business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TankundRast
• Facebookfacebook.com/TankundRast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autobahn-tank-&-rast
• Instagraminstagram.com/tankundrast
• TikToktiktok.com/@tankundrast

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding