GOURMET

What GOURMET does

GOURMET (legal entity GMS GOURMET GmbH) is an Austrian for-profit company founded in 1975 and headquartered in Vienna, operating as the explicit market leader in communal catering (Gemeinschaftsverpflegung) in Austria. The company runs two large fresh kitchens using Cook & Chill and sterile meal-production technology in Vienna and St. Pölten, plus a third kitchen in Nuremberg operated by German subsidiary GMS GOURMET Deutschland GmbH. GOURMET serves approximately 2,700 kindergartens, after-school programs, and schools through the GOURMET Kids brand, around 3,000 corporate clients through GOURMET Business (including on-site company restaurants operated by 700+ dedicated staff), hospitals and care homes through GOURMET Care, and seniors at home through GOURMET Daheim meal-delivery. It also produces Private Label convenience foods for food retailers and brand manufacturers, and operates a premium gastronomy and event portfolio through Gerstner (175+ year heritage, Vienna Opera Ball caterer), Café Schwarzenberg, Wiener Rathauskeller, and venues at Wiener Staatsoper, Musikverein, and Schloss Schönbrunn.

The business is organized as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the privately held Austrian conglomerate VIVATIS Holding AG (Linz), which also controls food brands such as Knabber Nossi, Inzersdorfer, Maresi, Toni Kaiser, Bauernland, and Wojnar's. GOURMET's go-to-market is enterprise field sales combined with long-term institutional contracts (multi-year), with revenue streams spanning recurring subscription-style communal catering, transactional private-label manufacturing, transaction/event fees in gastronomy, and recurring home-delivery subscriptions. Pricing is negotiated on a quote basis by customer type and volume; no public price list exists. GOURMET employs roughly 2,100 staff across Austria and Germany and maintains a particularly dense certification stack — ISO 9001 (since 1995), ISO 22000 FSSC, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 (first Austrian-certified company), IFS Food, GMP, BIO (Austria Bio Garantie, since 1997 as the first communal caterer in Austria), ÖGE, Austrian Umweltzeichen, MSC/ASC, and Fairtrade — which functions as a regulatory moat in public procurement.

Name

GOURMET

Legal name

GMS GOURMET GmbH

Website

https://gourmet.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

GOURMET (GMS GOURMET GmbH) is the market leader in Austrian communal catering, serving 2,700 schools, 3,000 corporate clients, hospitals, care homes, and seniors-at-home, with premium gastronomy through Gerstner and Private Label production for retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Institutional Catering Services

NAICS

Food Service Contractors (72231), Food Service Contractors (722310), Caterers (722320), Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Dietary Catering (Vegan, Kosher, Halal, Allergy-Friendly) (HSACAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cold Prepared Foods & Meal Components (Sides, Proteins, Family Meals) (CRAHAKAC), Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAI), Luxury Gourmet Food & Specialty Food Halls (Department Store–Operated) (CRAGADAH)

Keywords

• Communal catering services
• Institutional food services
• Workplace meals
• Private label food production
• Event catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&amp, D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Communal Catering Services: GOURMET provides meals for institutional customers including kindergartens, schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, and care homes. Revenue is generated through meal contracts and service agreements with long-term institutional customers.
2. Gastronomy and Event Catering: Operation of cafés, restaurants, and event catering services including the prestigious Gerstner brand known for Vienna Opera Ball catering. Revenue from direct customer purchases and event catering contracts.
3. Private Label Production: Custom food product development and manufacturing for food retail, discounters, wholesalers, and brand manufacturers. Customers include the food retail sector, large-scale caterers, and brand article producers.
4. Meal Delivery Services: GOURMET Daheim delivers meals to seniors at home (Essen auf Rädern), generating revenue through regular meal subscriptions and delivery services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GOURMET is the Austrian market leader in communal catering (Gemeinschaftsverpflegung), providing meal services for kindergartens, schools, businesses, hospitals, and care homes. The company also produces private-label food products for retail and wholesale partners, and operates premium event catering and Viennese restaurants/cafés through brands such as Gerstner, Café Schwarzenberg, and Wiener Rathauskeller. Meals are produced at two fresh kitchens in Austria (Vienna and St. Pölten) using Cook & Chill technology, with one additional kitchen in Nuremberg, Germany.

Product overview

GOURMET is an Austrian company and market leader in communal catering (Gemeinschaftsverpflegung) in Austria with over 50 years of experience. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio organized by customer segment: GOURMET Kids serves kindergartens and schools with child-appropriate nutrition (approx. 50% organic); GOURMET Business provides workplace meals including À la Carte frozen options and full-service company restaurants; GOURMET Daheim delivers meals-on-wheels for seniors; GOURMET Care supplies care homes and hospitals. The company also operates Private Label food production for retail, and runs Gastronomie & Event operations including the premium Gerstner Catering brand (famous for Vienna Opera Ball), GOURMET Event for large venues, and various Vienna restaurants and cafés (Café Schwarzenberg, Wiener Rathauskeller, Café im KHM, etc.). Two fresh kitchens in Vienna and St. Pölten produce meals, with a German subsidiary (GMS GOURMET GmbH) serving southern Germany from Nuremberg.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gourmet Kids: Specialized catering for kindergartens and schools with child-appropriate, BIO-certified meals
• Gourmet Business
• Gourmet Care
• Gourmet Daheim
• Gourmet Event
• Gerstner
• Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
• Café Schwarzenberg
• Wiener Rathauskeller
• Café Pavillon
• trude & töchter
• Café & Restaurant im Kunsthistorischen Museum Wien
• Mamma Pazza
• Wiener Stadthallen Café
• Café im Technischen Museum Wien
• Private Label by GOURMET

Products and services

• GOURMET Kids (Essen für Kindergärten & Schulen) Healthy and balanced meals specifically designed for children aged 3-15 in kindergartens and schools, prepared with mild seasoning, age-appropriate nutrition, and featuring approximately 50% organic ingredients with educational cooking workshops.
• GOURMET Business (Essen am Arbeitsplatz) Employee catering services for 3,000 companies across Austria and southern Germany, including À la Carte frozen food ordering, fresh salads, and full-service on-site company restaurant management with more than 700 dedicated staff.
• GOURMET Daheim (Essen auf Rädern) Daily hot meal delivery service to seniors living at home, featuring traditional Austrian cuisine prepared with historical recipes and adapted to individual nutritional needs of elderly people.
• GOURMET Care (Essen für Heime & Spitäler) Nutritionally balanced meals for nursing homes and hospitals, combining dietary requirements, allergen labeling, special patient/resident needs, and therapeutic nutrition with traditional kitchen craftsmanship.
• Private Label by GOURMET Custom food product development and production for retail, discount, wholesale, and brand manufacturers, offering breakfast, office-break, lunch, and dinner options including traditional, organic, vegan, and high-protein products.
• Gerstner Catering Premium catering brand providing exclusive dining at Vienna's most prestigious venues including Vienna State Opera, Musikverein, Schönbrunn Palace, and VIECON.
• GOURMET Event Large-scale event catering services for concerts and major event highlights at major venues including Wiener Stadthalle, Happel Stadium, and Oper im Steinbruch St. Margarethen.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,700 kindergartens, after-school programs, and schools served with children's nutrition
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WWF ÖsterreichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Since 2015, GOURMET and WWF Austria have partnered to promote climate-friendly nutrition. The partnership includes developing climate-aware recipes, cooking workshops for children, and calculating CO2 footprints for menu items. The collaboration has produced the 'Klima-Kochwerkstatt' (Climate Cooking Workshop) program for schools and various climate-friendly menu initiatives.
• Fairtrade ÖsterreichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOURMET is a Fairtrade license and gastronomy partner, using Fairtrade certified cocoa, rice, coffee, and bananas. The partnership supports fair trading conditions for small-scale farmers and environmental protection in producing countries.
• klimaaktivcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a klimaaktiv project partner, GOURMET implements measures to reduce CO2 emissions using klimaaktiv quality standards, demonstrating commitment to climate protection.
• United Against WasteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOURMET is a partner of the United Against Waste initiative, working with experts to further reduce food waste through systematic approaches and expert analysis.
• OekoBusiness WiencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOekoBusiness Wien is the City of Vienna's environmental service package for Viennese companies. GOURMET has been an OekoBusiness Wien member for 15 years, working with environmental consultants to identify savings potential in energy, waste, and resources.
• ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria AG)minorOthersGOURMET collaborates with ARA to promote waste separation awareness and responsible handling of valuable raw materials through comprehensive recycling programs.
• Austria Bio GarantiecoreOthersAustria's leading organic inspection body certifies GOURMET's organic food operations with 4x yearly inspections plus annual audits for traceability and supplier certification verification.
• Österreichische Gesellschaft für Ernährung (ÖGE)coreOthersÖGE certifies GOURMET's nutrient-optimized menu lines, ensuring current scientific nutrition recommendations are demonstrably implemented in communal catering.
• GMS GOURMET Deutschland GmbHcoreOthersGerman subsidiary operating a kitchen in Nuremberg, serving the communal catering market in southern Germany.
• Various Austrian BIO FarmscoreOthersLong-term partnerships with Austrian organic farmers including BIO-Lutz, Schneider's Gemüseland, Spargelhof Magoschitz, BIO-Apfelbauern Trummer, and Biohof Taschner-Kolmar. These partnerships ensure supply of regional, seasonal organic ingredients.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sodexo: Sodexo is a global leader in food services and facilities management, operating institutional catering, workplace meals, and school nutrition programs worldwide including in Austria and Germany. Comparable as a direct competitor in communal and corporate catering with broader geographic scale and service portfolio.
• Compass Group: Compass Group is the world's largest contract foodservice company, operating across Austria and Germany through brands like Eurest, Scolarest, and Medirest. Directly comparable as a multinational competitor in institutional, workplace, education, and healthcare catering.
• Aramark: Aramark is a global provider of food, facilities, and uniform services to employers, healthcare providers, schools, and stadiums, with established DACH operations. Comparable to GOURMET in serving institutional customers across workplace, education, and healthcare verticals.
• Elior Group: Elior Group is a major European contract catering and food services company operating in the education, healthcare, corporate, and leisure segments. Comparable as a competitor in institutional and contract catering across European markets with similar customer segments to GOURMET.
• Dussmann Group: Dussmann is a German facility services and catering conglomerate providing food services to corporate, healthcare, education, and public-sector clients across DACH. Comparable as an integrated facility services and catering competitor operating in GOURMET's core Austrian and German markets.

Direct peers

• DO & CO: DO & CO is a Vienna-based premium catering and event hospitality company serving airlines, events (including Allianz Arena and UEFA), restaurants, and hotels. Most directly comparable as an Austrian-headquartered peer in premium event catering and gastronomy, overlapping with GOURMET's Gerstner brand portfolio.
• Apetito AG: Apetito is a German-based catering and frozen meal provider focused on institutional customers including schools, hospitals, care homes, and senior meal delivery. Closely comparable to GOURMET's care and senior meal delivery segments (GOURMET Care and GOURMET Daheim) in the German-speaking market.
• Stockheim GmbH: Stockheim is a German premium catering and event hospitality company operating restaurants, event catering, and public venue services across major German cities. Comparable to GOURMET's premium event brands (Gerstner, GOURMET Event) and direct overlap in cultural venue catering.
• SV Group: SV Group is a Swiss-based contract catering company operating across Switzerland, Austria, and Germany with services for businesses, hospitals, schools, and senior living. Highly comparable to GOURMET as a direct competitor in DACH communal catering, and the former parent of SV Österreich (acquired by GOURMET in 2024).

Emerging players

• Marché International (Erdin/Movenpick Restaurants): Marché International operates premium foodservice concepts in travel hospitality, restaurants, and event catering with strong presence in DACH airports and rail stations. Partial overlap with GOURMET's event catering and gastronomy operations, particularly in venue-based premium food services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWFfvhQ5EeTcxPP7gk2WnaQ/featured?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/gourmet.at
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gms-gourmet-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/gms.gourmet

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about GOURMET