Fohsack Beverages

What Fohsack Beverages does

Fohsack Getränke GmbH is a family-owned German beverage distribution and retail company founded in 1959 in Hamburg-Hamm and headquartered in Ellerbek near Hamburg. The company operates through three interconnected business units: (1) a wholesale division serving more than 850 gastronomic establishments (restaurants, bars, hotels, event venues) across the Hamburg metropolitan area and South Holstein with a fleet of 2 semitrailers, 20 delivery trucks, 7 mobile draft beer trailers, and 6 refrigerated trailers; (2) a 1,000-square-meter beverage retail store (Getränkefachmarkt) in Ellerbek — described as one of the largest specialty beverage stores in northern Germany — serving walk-in consumers with a 350 sqm wine section, a loyalty card program, and weekly promotions; and (3) event logistics services including mobile draft system rental (Schankwagen), cooling trailers, and beverage supply for events ranging from private parties to mega-events with 100,000+ attendees.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-based wholesale beverage sales to gastronomy customers on fixed weekly delivery routes, complemented by retail margin at the Ellerbek store, equipment rental fees for draft systems and cooling trailers, and first-time hospitality equipment supply with financing arrangements. Customer ordering is supported through the third-party CHOCO mobile ordering app (introduced 2022, replacing the earlier LMO app from 2019), with orders required by 3:00 PM the day before scheduled delivery. The company holds DE-ÖKO-039 organic beverage distribution certification and recently joined the BV-GF-GH federal beverage wholesaler association in 2026.

The business has approximately 70 employees, is privately held under multi-generational Fohsack family ownership, and is currently led by Managing Director Savina Fohsack, who assumed the role in 2024 as the third-generation leader. Recent strategic activity has emphasized operational consolidation (closure of the Holzendorf logistics center in 2021, discontinuation of the home delivery service in October 2022), digital modernization (ERP in 2019, e-invoicing in 2025), and selective product extension (craft beer assortment, ReOlio cooking oil, reed drinking straws). The company has no institutional investors, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed funding rounds.

Name

Fohsack Beverages

Legal name

Fohsack Getränke GmbH

Website

https://fohsack.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fohsack Getränke GmbH is a family-owned German beverage wholesaler and retailer founded in 1959, headquartered in Ellerbek near Hamburg, serving 850+ gastronomy establishments across the Hamburg metro and South Holstein via route delivery, and operating a 1,000 sqm beverage retail store.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beverage Wholesale and Retail Distribution

NAICS

Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532), Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Retail-Misc General Merchandise Stores (5399)

akta.pro primary industry

Retailer & Small-Store Supply (C-Store, Mini-Mart, Independent Retail) (CRAEAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gourmet & Fine Food Stores (CRAHAGAG), Bulk & Case-Lot Food Retailers (Non-membership) (CRAHACAF)

Keywords

• Beverage wholesale
• Gastronomy supply
• Beverage distribution
• Draft equipment rental
• Bottle shop retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellerbek

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Beverage Sales to Gastronomy: Primary revenue stream: supplying 850+ gastronomic establishments (restaurants, bars, hotels, event venues) with beer, spirits, soft drinks, and specialty beverages. Delivery service with fixed weekly routes and just-in-time logistics.
2. Retail Beverage Sales: Retail sales at the Getränkefachmarkt in Ellerbek (1000 sqm) to individual consumers. Walk-in trade with loyalty card program and weekly special offers.
3. Equipment Rental (Schankwagen & Draft Systems): Rental of draft beer systems, mobile bar trailers, and cooling trailers to event organizers and private parties. Multiple trailer options (Astra, König Pilsener, Warsteiner, Krombacher models) with and without refrigerated compartments.
4. First Equipment Supply & Financing: Complete initial equipment supply for new gastronomy establishments (from beer coasters to full fit-out), including financing arrangements for draft equipment and systems.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fohsack Getränke GmbH is a German family-owned beverage specialist that wholesales beer, soft drinks, and spirits to 850+ gastronomy establishments via fixed route delivery in the Hamburg metropolitan area and South Holstein. It also operates a 1,000 sqm walk-in beverage retail market (Getränkefachmarkt) in Ellerbek and rents out mobile draft beer trailers (Schankwagen) and cooling trailers for events of up to 100,000 guests.

Product overview

Fohsack Getränke GmbH is a beverage wholesale and retail company that has operated since 1959, evolving from a spirits business to one of the most prominent beverage wholesale distributors in the Hamburg and Südholstein region. The company operates a dual business model: (1) Wholesale/Gastronomy division serving over 850 gastronomy establishments with beverage delivery, mobile draft beer trailers (Schankwagen), event services, and digital ordering via CHOCO and LMO apps; and (2) Retail division operating a large beverage specialty market in Ellerbek (1,000+ sqm). Supporting products include cooling trailers, reed drinking straws, ReOlio cooking oil, and craft beer offerings. The company emphasizes sustainability through a returnable/reusable packaging principle and holds organic beverage certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Großhandel Gastronomie (Beverage Wholesale to Gastronomy) Beverage wholesale service delivering beer, soft drinks, and spirits to over 850 gastronomy establishments (restaurants, bars, hotels, event venues) across the Hamburg metropolitan area and South Holstein via fixed weekly routes with just-in-time delivery.
• Getränkefachmarkt Ellerbek (Beverage Retail Market) 1,000 sqm walk-in beverage retail store in Ellerbek carrying alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, regional and national brands, with a 350 sqm wine section, weekly specials, and a loyalty card (Treuekarte) program for consumers.
• Schankwagen (Mobile Draft Beer Trailer Rental) Rental of 7 mobile draft beer systems and cooling trailers in branded configurations (Astra, König Pilsener, Warsteiner, Krombacher) for events, festivals, and private parties, including mega-events of 100,000+ guests.
• Event Services (Veranstaltungsservice) Beverage supply combined with draft equipment rental and on-site logistics for large-scale events including rock/pop concerts, Schlager Move, CSD, and other mega-events serving up to 100,000 guests.
• Kühlanhänger (Cooling Trailers) Rental Rental of refrigerated cooling trailers in standard and large sizes for temperature-controlled beverage storage at events and for gastronomy customers, backed by 6 refrigerated trailers in the Fohsack fleet.
• Craft Beer Sortiment (Craft Beer Selection) Specialty craft beer assortment at the Getränkefachmarkt in Ellerbek featuring historical beer styles reinterpreted by craft breweries and American-style craft beers with unique ingredients and flavors.
• ReOlio Speiseöl (ReOlio Cooking Oil) Cooking oil product offering for gastronomy customers, supplied through Fohsack's wholesale channel alongside beverages.
• Trinkhalme aus Reet (Reed Drinking Straws) Eco-friendly drinking straws made from reed, supplied to gastronomy customers for sustainable foodservice operations as part of Fohsack's wholesale assortment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Servicing over 850 gastronomic establishments
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• BV-GF-GH (Bundesverband des deutschen Getränkefachgroßhandels e.V.)minorOthers · 1 January 2026Fohsack Getränke GmbH became a member of the BV-GF-GH (German Beverage Specialist Wholesale Trade Association) in 2026. The association represents the interests of beverage specialist wholesalers in Germany and provides industry partner networks.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Flaschenpost: Germany's leading online beverage delivery service focused on convenience for both consumers and gastronomy customers. Direct overlap with Fohsack in beer/spirits/soft drinks distribution to end consumers, but competing primarily via app-based delivery rather than route-based B2B.
• Getränke Essmann: German beverage specialist retailer and wholesaler with multi-store Getränkefachmarkt format and gastronomy supply. Comparable to Fohsack in the dual retail/wholesale model, geographic regional concentration, and emphasis on customer service and product depth.
• Durstexpress (by Flaschenpost / Dr. Oetker): B2B beverage delivery platform serving restaurants, bars, and hotels via mobile ordering. Direct peer to Fohsack's gastronomy wholesale in target customers and product categories, with the strategic threat of digital-first ordering and broader assortment.
• Getränke Hoffmann: One of Germany's largest beverage specialist retail/wholesale chains with combined Getränkefachmarkt and gastronomy supply model. Highly comparable to Fohsack in product breadth (beer, wine, soft drinks), customer segmentation (gastronomy + retail), and bundled service offering, though operating at national scale.

Emerging players

• Bierothek: German specialty craft beer retail chain with both physical stores and online shop. Comparable to the craft beer assortment at Fohsack's Getränkefachmarkt, but with a craft-only specialization and growing online presence.

Others

• AMBE (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der mittelständischen Getränkefachgroßhändler): German association of mid-market beverage specialist wholesalers (BV-GF-GH predecessor organization). Fohsack's peers are its fellow member regional Getränkefachgroßhändler; AMBE itself is an industry body representing this peer set.

Regional players

• Getränke Geins: Regional German beverage specialist wholesaler serving gastronomy and retail customers. Comparable to Fohsack in business model (B2B supply + retail store) but operating in a different German region.
• Getränke Preuss: Regional German beverage wholesaler and Getränkefachmarkt operator in Northern/Eastern Germany. Direct overlap with Fohsack in product mix and dual retail/B2B model, though serving a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Trink & Spare (REWE Group): Beverage discount retail banner of REWE Group, one of Germany's largest grocery groups. Competes with Fohsack's Getränkefachmarkt on price-driven beverage retail, but as part of a much larger grocery portfolio rather than a beverage-specialist.
• Edeka Getränkeservice / EDEKA Verbund: Major German grocery retail group with a sizable beverage wholesale and retail operation. Competes with Fohsack across both retail beverage purchasing and B2B gastronomy supply, but as part of a broad food retail portfolio rather than a specialist focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/fohsack
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Fohsack Beverages