The Caviar Counter

What The Caviar Counter does

Le Comptoir du Caviar, marketed in English as The Caviar Counter, is a French specialist retailer and conditioner of premium caviar and seafood delicacies, founded in 1991 and operating as a private SAS under the parent Groupe Gardinier since 2015. The company sources caviar from selected sturgeon farms in Poland, Bulgaria, China, and France (L'Esturgeonnière in Aquitaine), then conditions, packages, and distributes it from its IFS Progress Food-certified workshop in Mulcent, Yvelines. Beyond caviar, it manufactures taramas in-house (12+ variants including classic, truffle, sea urchin coral, poutargue, and Espelette pepper), curates fish roe products such as tobiko, and complements the offering with artisanal Breton blinis, mother-of-pearl spoons, and seasonal gift boxes.

The business runs a dual-channel model: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform at shop.lecomptoirducaviar.com delivering across metropolitan France and Monaco via Chronofresh temperature-controlled logistics, and a B2B service for restaurants and hospitality professionals that has operated since 1991. Pricing is per-unit or per-kilogram, ranging from approximately €4 for blinis to €2,500/kg for premium Osciètre caviar, with promotional codes (NOEL25, ETE26) and tiered free-shipping thresholds (€80 promotional, €120 standard) supporting conversion. Distribution relies on AIRLINER isothermal packaging with eutectic cold accumulators to maintain product integrity through transit.

The company is led by Directrice Générale Françoise Boisseaud and is part of the Gardinier hospitality group alongside Les Crayères, Drouant, and Taillevent. It has been a member of WWF France's Club Entreprendre pour la Planète since 2019, initially supporting Bulgarian wild sturgeon conservation and now the French Mediterranean program. Operations are supported by 17 employees across headquarters at 7 rue Lamennais in Paris (75008) and the production site in Mulcent (78790), with no public revenue disclosure and no external funding rounds evidenced.

Name

The Caviar Counter

Legal name

SAS Comptoir du Caviar

Website

https://lecomptoirducaviar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Le Comptoir du Caviar is a French specialty retailer and conditioner of premium caviar, taramas, and seafood delicacies founded in 1991, serving both individual gourmet consumers via D2C e-commerce and restaurants/hospitality professionals across metropolitan France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Foods / Luxury Caviar

NAICS

Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446), Fish and Seafood Retailers (44525)

SIC

Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Seafood Wholesale (Fresh & Frozen) (AFAIADAD)

Keywords

• Premium caviar retail
• Seafood delicacies
• Artisan tarama
• Cold-chain food delivery
• Sturgeon caviar import

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Caviar and seafood product sales: Direct sales of caviar, taramas, fish eggs, blinis, and accessories through e-commerce platform. Products sourced from selected sturgeon farms worldwide and manufactured in-house. Both B2C (individual consumers) and B2B (professional restaurateurs) channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Le Comptoir du Caviar is a French specialty caviar and seafood producer that imports caviar from selected sturgeon farms worldwide, conditions and packages it in its own IFS Progress Food certified workshop in Mulcent, Yvelines, and manufactures its own taramas. The company sells premium caviar, house-made taramas, fish roe, artisanal Breton blinis, and tasting accessories through its own e-commerce platform (shop.lecomptoirducaviar.com) with cold-chain delivery across metropolitan France, serving both individual gourmet consumers and professional restaurateurs.

Product overview

Le Comptoir du Caviar is a French caviar and seafood specialty retailer offering a curated portfolio of products centered around caviar, taramas, fish roe, blinis, and accessories. The core offering consists of premium caviar imported from world-renowned farms (Osciètre from Poland and Bulgaria, hybrid Schrenkii X Dauricus from China, Baerii from French aquaculture), complemented by house-made taramas (12+ varieties including classic white, truffle, Espelette pepper, sea urchin coral, poutargue) and fish roe products. Supporting products include artisanal Breton blinis for serving and mother-of-pearl spoons for tasting. The company operates its own workshop in Mulcent (Yvelines) certified IFS Progress Food, where it conditions caviar and manufactures taramas, while sourcing blinis from a partner in Brittany. Products are sold through an e-commerce platform delivering across metropolitan France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Caviar Osciètre (Poland, Bulgaria) Premium caviar from Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii sturgeon, sourced from farms in Poland and Bulgaria. Medium grain, black to grey color, firm and melt-in-mouth texture with iodized and long-lasting aroma. Priced from 50.00€ (20g) up to 2500€/kg.
• Caviar Schrenkii X Dauricus Hybrid caviar from crossbred Acipenser Schrenckii and Huso Dauricus sturgeons sourced from Yunnan, China. Brown to golden color, medium to large grain, firm and crispy texture with sweet and subtle flavor. Marketed as the most used caviar by French chefs. Priced from 36.00€, 1800€/kg.
• Caviar Baerii – Origine France French-origin caviar from Acipenser Baerii Baerii sturgeon, produced at L'Esturgeonnière farm in Le Teich, Aquitaine. Creamy texture and fine pearls, representing French gastronomic expertise. Priced from 42.00€ (20g), 2100€/kg.
• Caviar de Printemps 2026 Limited edition seasonal Oscietra caviar from Rhodope Mountains lakes in Bulgaria, celebrating spring with lightness and joy. Harvested in January, offering precise tension and brilliant freshness.
• Tarama aux Œufs de Cabillaud Salés 40% Classic white tarama with 40% salted cod roe content. Smooth and creamy blend with iodized notes, made at the Mulcent workshop. Priced 7.50€ (90g), 66.6€/kg.
• Tarama aux Œufs de Truite Savory spread made from premium quality smoked cod roe, enhanced with orange trout roe providing a delicate crunch. Priced 8.00€ (90g), 88.8€/kg.
• Tarama au Corail d'Oursin Spread combining premium Icelandic smoked cod roe with iodized sea urchin coral for a distinctive maritime flavor profile.
• Tarama à la Truffe d'Été Saveur Truffe Premium tarama featuring smoked cod roe combined with summer truffle pieces and black truffle aroma (Tuber Aestivum, 2.94%).
• Tarama au Piment d'Espelette Tarama infused with AOC Espelette pepper (0.8%), incorporating the delicate heat and unique aroma of this Basque specialty.
• Tarama à la Poutargue Tarama featuring Mediterranean poutargue (dried mullet roe) at 9.6%, providing a pronounced iodized flavor characteristic of this delicacy.
• Préparation à Base d'Œufs de Poisson Volant Saveur Wasabi Flying fish roe (tobiko) with wasabi flavoring, featuring a vibrant green color and satisfying crunch for sushi and maki toppings.
• Blinis x 16 pièces Artisanal blinis made in Brittany (Morbihan) using an exclusive fresh cheese recipe. Pack of 16 pieces (135g), offering exceptional softness and unique taste. Priced 4.00€ per package (29.62€/kg).
• Blinis x 4 pièces Artisanal blinis made in Brittany (Morbihan) using an exclusive fresh cheese recipe. Pack of 4 pieces (200g), perfect for pairing with caviar and seafood delicacies. Priced 4.20€ per package (21€/kg).
• Cuillère en Nacre Mother-of-pearl spoon essential for caviar tasting, as nacre does not alter the taste of caviar unlike stainless steel.
• Coffrets Cadeaux Gift boxes featuring caviar and other seafood delicacies, ideal for special occasions such as birthdays, Valentine's Day, and festive celebrations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Guaranteed minimum 21-day best-before date on receipt for taramas and blinis
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WWF France (Club Entreprendre pour la Planete)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Since 2019, Le Comptoir du Caviar has been a member of the WWF France Club Entreprendre pour la Planete, supporting environmental responsibility. Initially supported Bulgarian wild sturgeon conservation program (2019-2023), now reoriented to support the French Mediterranean program. Company is committed to sustainability and sturgeon species protection.
• Chronofresh (transport partner)coreOthersExclusive temperature-controlled logistics partner for cold-chain delivery across metropolitan France and Monaco. Partner since multiple years for guaranteed temperature maintenance during transport of perishable caviar and seafood products.
• Sturgeon farm partners (Poland, Bulgaria, China)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSourced from selected sturgeon farms worldwide including: Bulgarian farm (pioneer in Beluga farming, mountain lakes for unique marine and buttery flavors), Polish farm (4000+ hectares Natura 2000 property), and Chinese farm Amur in Yunnan (high-altitude breeding with pure mountain water).
• L'Esturgeonniere (French sturgeon farm)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench sturgeon farm located in Le Teich, Aquitaine. One of few French farms to integrate all production stages (hatchery, breeding farm, and processing laboratory) on a single site. 25 years of expertise in French caviar production in the Landes de Gascogne national park.
• Gardinier GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company controlled by the Gardinier brothers since 2015. Part of larger culinary group including Les Crayeres, Drouant, and Taillevent restaurants. Under Gardinier leadership, Le Comptoir du Caviar launched its own brand to reach new generation consumers with modern, accessible caviar approach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Petrossian: Iconic Parisian caviar house founded in 1920, selling premium caviar, smoked salmon, and gourmet accompaniments via both boutique retail and D2C channels. The most established French specialty caviar brand and the closest direct comparable to Le Comptoir du Caviar.
• Kaviari: Paris-based caviar specialist offering premium and entry-level caviar across D2C e-commerce and B2B foodservice channels. Directly competes with Le Comptoir in the French premium caviar D2C and restaurant supply market.
• Caviar de Neuvic: Vertically integrated French caviar producer with own sturgeon farm in the Dordogne, selling direct to consumers and restaurants. Comparable as a French-origin caviar brand emphasizing traceability and domestic aquaculture.
• Sturia: French caviar producer based in southwest France with integrated aquaculture, processing, and D2C/B2B distribution. Competes in the same French-origin, traceable caviar category as Le Comptoir's L'Esturgeonnière-sourced Baerii line.
• Kaspia: Historic Parisian institution specializing in caviar, smoked fish, and Russian/French gourmet products with both a restaurant and retail operation. Comparable luxury French caviar retailer serving premium consumers.
• Caviar House & Prunier: International caviar and smoked salmon retailer with multiple boutique locations and online sales. Comparable as a multi-channel premium caviar brand with global sourcing and D2C delivery infrastructure.
• Marky's Caviar: US-based gourmet retailer specializing in caviar, smoked fish, and fine foods with e-commerce delivery. Comparable as a multi-channel specialty caviar retailer serving both B2C gifting and foodservice demand.
• Caviar de Sologne: French sturgeon farm and caviar producer located in the Sologne region, with both direct retail and foodservice distribution. Comparable as a vertically integrated French caviar player with B2B and B2C channels.

Broad incumbents

• Les Crayères: Two-Michelin-star restaurant in Reims and part of the Gardinier Group; uses Le Comptoir caviar and reflects the prestige ecosystem within which the subject company operates. Comparable as the parent group's flagship gastronomy venue rather than as a direct retail competitor.

Others

• Maison de la Truffe: French luxury food specialist focused on truffles and gourmet accompaniments, with Paris boutique and restaurant. Adjacent comparable as a French luxury delicatessen brand serving similar premium consumers and gifting occasions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lecomptoirducaviar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gardinier-hospitality
• Instagraminstagram.com/lecomptoirducaviar

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 The Caviar Counter