Matspecialen

What Matspecialen does

Matspecialen AS is a privately held, founder-owned (Jan Nielsen) Norwegian catering company operating from a central production kitchen at Ole Deviks vei 28 in Bryn, eastern Oslo, with nearly 50 employees running the kitchen 365 days a year. Originally established in 1961 and acquired by Nielsen in 1997, the company serves both businesses (corporate lunches, conferences, confirmations, Christmas parties) and private individuals (weddings, memorials, confirmations, birthdays) across Oslo and the surrounding corridor from Ullensaker to Sandvika. Named customers include Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Oslo University Hospital, and several mid-sized enterprises, alongside nonprofit and sports-club segments.

The product portfolio spans cold buffets (koldtbord), tapas, hot stews (gryteretter), open-faced Norwegian sandwiches (påsmurt/smørbrød), handmade cakes and baked goods (konditori), seasonal Christmas food, frozen ready meals (Fryst & Ferdig / Varm og Nyt), and wholesale trays (engrosvarer) for professional kitchens. Operational technology includes proprietary quick-freezing lines that preserve taste and nutrition, Norway-first cake printing onto gel/cream/marzipan/macaron (2022), and an eSmiley digital IK-MAT food-safety system; the company runs a Cloudinary-backed e-commerce storefront, a Cakeprint service, and an online ordering platform. Three wholly owned subsidiaries extend the surface area: Sjokoladekompaniet (2023, handmade chocolate/marzipan), Middag Rett Hjem (2025, home-delivered traditional Norwegian meals), and Restaurant À L'aise (2017, Michelin-referenced fine dining at Majorstuen).

The business model is fundamentally transactional one-time catering (delivery fees 200–400 NOK + 22 NOK/km beyond 20 km; 15% VAT-inclusive pricing; 41 NOK expedition fee), augmented by recurring corporate-lunch contracts (firmalunsj), wholesale supply to institutions, equipment/staff/truck rentals, and gift cards. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via website, phone, email, self-pickup at Bryn, and a delivery fleet covering Greater Oslo. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and there are no funding rounds; the company is founder-owned with no external private-equity exposure. Sustainability credentials (Miljøfyrtårn since 2010, Grønt Punkt, IRN Halal) double as ESG positioning for public-sector and enterprise RFPs.

Name

Matspecialen

Legal name

Matspecialen AS

Website

https://matspecialen.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Matspecialen AS is an Oslo-based, founder-owned catering company producing cold buffets, tapas, hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, and Christmas food from its Bryn kitchen 365 days a year, serving businesses, private customers, and institutions across Greater Oslo via direct delivery and e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Catering Services

NAICS

Caterers (72232)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Dietary Catering (Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Allergen-Free, Medical) (THAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Catering services
• Event catering
• Corporate lunch delivery
• Frozen ready meals
• Handmade bakery products

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Catering Services: Main revenue stream from catering services for events, corporate lunches, confirmations, weddings, memorials, and private gatherings. Food is prepared fresh daily in their own kitchen and delivered to customers.
2. Wholesale Products (Engrosvarer): Bulk frozen and fresh food products sold to professional kitchens, canteens, and catering businesses in large-scale packaging for institutional use.
3. Retail Products: Individual food items including sandwiches, wraps, cakes, tapas, and prepared dishes sold through online store for pickup or delivery.
4. Equipment and Personnel Rental: Rental of reusable serving equipment (heating boxes, plates, trays, cake stands) with deposit system, plus rental of professional kitchen staff and truck transportation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Matspecialen AS is a Norwegian catering company that prepares and delivers handmade food daily from its own kitchen at Bryn, Oslo. It sells cold buffets (koldtbord), tapas, hot dishes (gryteretter), sandwiches and wraps (påsmurt), handmade cakes and baked goods (konditori), formal party menus, and frozen ready meals (Ferdigretter / Varm og Nyt) to both businesses and private individuals for events, corporate lunches, and celebrations. It also offers corporate lunch programs, wholesale products for professional kitchens, custom photo cake printing, staff and truck rental, and gift cards.

Product overview

Matspecialen is a catering company offering a broad portfolio of food products and related services from its kitchen at Bryn, Oslo. The core offering spans multiple food categories: Koldtbord (cold buffets) and Tapas (small dishes) as self-service/semi-self-service formats; Konditori (handmade cakes and baked goods) including products from subsidiary Sjokoladekompaniet; Gryteretter (hot stews and prepared dishes); Påsmurt (sandwiches, baguettes, wraps, canapés); Ferdigretter (frozen and chilled ready meals, including the Varm og Nyt brand); Selskapsmeny (formal party menus); and seasonal Julemat (Christmas food) including traditional ribbe, pinnekjøtt, and holiday confectionery. Add-on services include Gavekort (gift cards), Firmalunsj (corporate lunch programs), Engrosvarer (wholesale for professional kitchens), Kake med bilde og tekst (custom photo/text cake printing), Utleie av personale (staff rental), and Utleie av lastebil (truck rental). Subsidiaries include Sjokoladekompaniet (chocolate and confectionery), Middag Rett Hjem (home meal delivery, 2025), and Restaurant À L'aise (fine dining). The company operates 365 days a year and serves both businesses and private customers across Oslo and surrounding areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sjokoladekompaniet: Handmade chocolate, marzipan, and confectionery products sold through sjokoladekompaniet.no.
• Middag Rett Hjem
• Varm og Nyt
• Restaurant À L'aise

Quantifiable outcome

• Kitchen operates 365 days a year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Middag Rett HjemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Subsidiary launched in 2025 offering homemade traditional Norwegian comfort food delivered to customers' doors. Next chapter in Matspecialen's history focused on simplifying daily life with healthy, good traditional food made from scratch.
• Islamsk Råd NorgecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Competent partner that helped Matspecialen achieve Halal certification for their confectionery in 2022 - an important part of their diversity work and strategy.
• Restaurant À L'aisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Michelin-focused gourmet restaurant opened by Jan Nielsen on Majorstuen in 2017. Represents Matspecialen's culinary ambitions in fine dining. Features classic-focused cuisine.
• SjokoladekompanietcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company specializing in handmade chocolate, marzipan, and confectionery products. Launched in 2023, expanding Matspecialen's offerings in premium desserts and gifts. Products include chocolate plates, confectionery boxes, and seasonal Christmas treats.
• Abildsø GårdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning local apple cider (MOST EPLE) produced by local youth. Revenues support school dropout prevention initiatives. Short-chain, local production aligned with sustainability values.
• BamacoreOthersMajor supplier of fruits, vegetables, fish, and game. Described as professional, reliable, and inspiring partner for the catering business.
• Coca-Cola NorgecoreOthersMain supplier of mineral water and beverages. Known and trusted products delivered with precision.
• TinecoreOthersDairy products supplier providing well-known, high-quality dairy essential for both catering and confectionery operations.
• RingnesminorOthersWide range of beverages including beer, cider, energy drinks, and water. Professional supplier with high service level.
• PriorminorOthersSupplier of egg and chicken products with strong focus on animal welfare and sustainability.
• PalscoreOthersInstitution in Norwegian food industry. Delivers baking ingredients, chocolate, coffee, and berry products of highest quality.
• Idun IndustriercoreOthersImportant partner for the confectionery department - everything from cake ingredients to chocolate and berries.
• Service GrossistenecoreOthersMain wholesaler with local anchoring, wide assortment, and good distribution. Not just a supplier but also one of Matspecialen's customers.
• GurusoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital partner and system supplier. Responsible for Matspecialen's website and helps with integrations and support.
• eSmileycoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital IK-MAT (food safety) system that makes food safety easier to follow up and document.
• A la Carte ProdukterminorOthersGourmet products from France, Italy, and Spain. Called when only the best is good enough.
• CondifaminorOthersItalian passion at its best! Importer of small-scale producers with genuine personal service.
• Carl Evensen Eftf.coreOthersMajor supplier with fast service and impressive flexibility - worth gold in the catering industry.
• FruktringenminorOthersLong-term partnership focusing on fresh products, quality vegetables, and high service level.
• Greens of NorwayminorOthersProduces microgreens and sprouts of top quality - genuine craftsmanship and short-chain raw materials.
• MetervareminorOthersCraft-based production of meat products at Sinsen in Oslo - local quality at its best.
• Wulff & CominorOthersLocal supplier of meat and game products - high quality, wide selection, and fantastic customer service.
• NorEngrosminorOthersTotal supplier of non-food products - from packaging to office supplies and cleaning equipment.
• CulinaminorOthersSupplier of equipment and kitchen articles. Wide selection, good prices, and fast delivery.
• ChristeynsminorOthersExperts in hygiene and cleaning. Deliver chemicals, training, and consulting services for operations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Godt Brød: Established Norwegian artisanal bakery chain with multiple Oslo locations and catering offerings. Comparable bakery/confectionery capability to Matspecialen's Konditori and Sjokoladekompaniet, plus overlapping B2B catering.
• Baker Hansen: Long-standing Norwegian bakery chain with cafés and catering. Comparable baked-goods product category and broad menu overlap, though distributed via retail locations rather than centralized production.
• Deli de Luca: Norwegian chain of convenience-style cafés selling sandwiches, baked goods and ready meals. Overlaps with Matspecialen's sandwich, wrap and snack retail SKUs in the Oslo workplace-lunch segment.

Emerging players

• Oda (formerly Kolonial.no): Norwegian online grocery and recipe-box operator. Emerging competitor in the home-meal category that Middag Rett Hjem targets, with adjacent prepared-meal SKUs.
• Adams Matkasser: Norwegian meal-kit and home meal-delivery service. Direct overlap with Matspecialen's planned Middag Rett Hjem concept, competing for the same everyday home-meal occasion.

Direct peers

• Abel Catering: Established Norwegian catering company serving corporate events and private functions across the Oslo region. Directly comparable event-catering model, B2B/B2C mix, and Norwegian market focus make it Matspecialen's closest head-to-head competitor.
• Fjordland: Norwegian prepared-meal and catering brand producing ready meals and buffet solutions for retail and foodservice. Overlaps with Matspecialen's Ferdigretter/Varm og Nyt frozen line and wholesale channel.
• Kokken & Jomfruen: Norwegian event caterer offering buffets, plated dinners and corporate catering. Comparable product range (cold buffets, hot meals, party menus) and Oslo-region operations overlap directly with Matspecialen's core offering.
• Josephine Catering: Oslo-based premium event caterer focused on parties, corporate events and weddings with broad buffet and plated-dinner menus. Comparable high-end positioning and Oslo geography create direct competition in the same target segments.

Others

• Foodora (Norway): Major food-delivery marketplace operating in Oslo. Adjacent ecosystem player whose corporate and event-catering marketplace could become a substitute or channel partner for Matspecialen's catering and home-delivery offerings.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/matspecialen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/matspecialen-as

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 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 Matspecialen