Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG

What Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG does

Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG is a privately held Swiss show dairy and visitor attraction located in Affoltern im Emmental at 801 meters altitude, operating 365 days a year on a heritage site that includes the Stöckli building (1741) and the historic Feuerwagenkäserei (1900). The company produces authentic Emmentaler AOP cheese on-site using traditional methods while opening production to public viewing, and runs the multi-station Königsweg guided tour (with a 2025 walkable production enhancement) plus Frischkäse and Stöckli cheese-making workshops. The asset is structured as an integrated experience destination rather than a pure dairy: it operates a regional restaurant with ~160 indoor covers, a ~250-cover garden terrace, and a ~120-cover hall, alongside cheese retail, novelty Wohnfass glamping accommodation, carriage rides, e-bike rentals, off-site catering, corporate seminars, and a voucher-based gifting program.

The business model is diversified, transactional, and direct-to-consumer, with multiple price points spanning low-ticket F&B (e.g., coffee at CHF 6) to high-value group experiences (group cheese-making packages from CHF 530+). Customer segments are deliberately broad — individual leisure visitors, families, school groups, bus tour operators, and corporate/seminar bookers — with international demand referenced from the UK and France. Distribution combines the site's position on the Herzroute cycling path and proximity to the Grand Tour of Switzerland with a partnership stack (Rent a Bike, Valley Adventures, Bäckerei Meier) and ticketing infrastructure through e-guma, supporting both walk-in and pre-booked demand.

The underlying technology stack is conventional SaaS (e-guma ticketing, online shop, voucher platform) with no disclosed AI, proprietary data assets, or automation differentiators; competitive defensibility rests on heritage real estate, AOP-regulated production, and tourism-location economics rather than technology. The company is signaling active scaling through ongoing hiring in F&B and apprenticeships, recent product launches (Wohnfass glamping, 2025 Königsweg enhancement), and ecosystem partnership buildout, though no revenue, headcount, or visitor-throughput data is disclosed.

Name

Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG

Legal name

Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG

Website

https://emmentaler-schaukaeserei.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG runs a year-round Swiss show dairy and visitor attraction in Affoltern im Emmental, producing Emmentaler AOP cheese on-site and generating revenue from guided tours, hands-on cheese-making workshops, regional dining, retail, glamping accommodation, events, and group experiences for leisure and corporate customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism and Specialty Cheese Experiences

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fresh/Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Unripened & Soft) (AFAHABAA), Cheese Aging/Affineur Services (Maturation & Cave-Aging) (AFAHABAH), Cheese Wholesale (AFAIAEAC), Cheese (Natural & Processed) (CRADACAC)

Keywords

• Artisan cheese production
• Agritourism experiences
• Swiss dairy attractions
• Specialty cheese retail
• Event hospitality services

Headquarters

HQ city

Affoltern im Emmental

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Restaurant & Dining: On-site restaurant serving regional Swiss cuisine with cheese specialties. Open daily 9:00-17:00, extended to 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and Sunday buffet brunch.
2. Experiential Tours & Workshops: Revenue from tickets to the Königsweg experience tour (CHF 16.50 adults), guided tours with cheese tasting (base price CHF 165/group), Stöckli cheese making experience (CHF 530 for up to 20 persons), and cream cheese workshops (CHF 12.50 adults).
3. Accommodation - Living Barrels (Wohnfass): Glamping experience in custom-designed living barrels overlooking the Emmental valley. Romantic packages include overnight stay, terrace dinner, and breakfast delivery. Weekday rates CHF 155/person, weekend CHF 175/person.
4. Seminar & Event Venues: Meeting rooms and halls rented for corporate seminars, weddings, banquets, and private events. Seminar packages from CHF 55 (half-day) to CHF 99 (full day) per person. Venue capacities up to 160 persons in restaurant/wintergarden.
5. Cheese Store & Retail Products: On-site cheese specialty store (Käsefachgeschäft) offering the largest selection of Emmentaler AOP and regional specialties, gift baskets, and cheese boards. Open 365 days from 9:00-17:00.
6. Carriage Rides (Rösslifahrten): Horse-drawn carriage tours around the show dairy area. Up to 4 wagons available, max 12 persons per wagon. CHF 310 per wagon for approximately 1.5 hours.
7. E-Bike Rentals: E-bike rental station (official Rent a Bike partner) with 6 FLYER E-bikes available April-October. Full day CHF 60, half day CHF 43.
8. Gift Vouchers: Online voucher sales through external platform (e-guma) for experiences, dining, and overnight stays.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG operates a traditional Swiss show dairy producing authentic Emmentaler AOP cheese while offering visitor experiences including the Königsweg self-guided audio tour, hands-on cheese-making workshops, a regional Swiss restaurant, glamping accommodation in Wohnfass living barrels, event hosting for weddings and corporate seminars, and an on-site cheese retail store. The company is located in Affoltern im Emmental, Switzerland, operating 365 days per year at 801m altitude in the birthplace of Emmentaler cheese.

Product overview

Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG is a traditional Swiss cheese-making show dairy and visitor attraction located at 801m altitude in Affoltern im Emmental. The company operates as a diversified hospitality and experience business centered around authentic Emmentaler AOP cheese production. The core product portfolio consists of: (1) Live cheese-making demonstrations and production experiences, including the self-guided Königsweg indoor tour with walkable production area, hands-on Stöckli cheese-making in the historic 1741 building, and cream cheese workshops; (2) Restaurant and catering services with regional Swiss cuisine featuring cheese specialties; (3) Event hosting for banquets, seminars, weddings, and group occasions across multiple venue spaces; (4) Retail operations including an on-site cheese store, Meier bakery, gift baskets, cheese platters, and an e-commerce shop; (5) Unique accommodations in Wohnfass glamping barrels. The company leverages partnerships for e-bike rentals (Rent a Bike/FLYER), guided cycling tours (valley-adventures), and cheese route experiences (kaeseroute.ch).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Königsweg: The King's Way - an indoor experience tour showcasing the history of Emmentaler AOP and cheese production.
• Stöcklikäsen
• Sennenbrunch
• Wohnfass
• Frischkäse Workshop
• Bäckerei Meier

Products and services

• Restaurant On-site restaurant serving regional Swiss cuisine featuring Emmental cheese specialties, open daily 9:00-17:00 with extended hours to 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and Sunday buffet brunch for individual visitors and groups.
• Wohnfass (Living Barrel) Glamping Accommodation Glamping accommodation in custom-designed barrel-shaped tiny houses with heating, electricity, running water, and terrace overlooking the Emmental valley. Each barrel accommodates up to four guests. Romantic packages include overnight stay, terrace dinner, and breakfast delivery.
• Königsweg Indoor Experience Tour Self-guided audiovisual indoor tour exploring the history of Emmentaler AOP production. Approximately 30 minutes duration, available in German, French, and English, with interactive elements and a cheese tasting at the end. Includes walkable production area with live cheese-making stations.
• Stöckli Cheese Making Experience Hands-on cheese-making experience in the historic Stöckli building from 1741 where participants produce two 8-10kg cheese wheels from 200 liters of fresh raw milk. The cheese is aged for four months, then cut, vacuum-packed, and shipped to participants within Switzerland. Basic price CHF 530 for up to 20 persons.
• Frischkäse Workshop (Cream Cheese Workshop) 60-minute hands-on workshop where participants learn cream cheese production processes and take home their own fresh cheese hearts after 45 minutes of pressing. Public sessions on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 14:00. Private group sessions up to 20 persons available.
• Guided Tour (Geführter Rundgang) Guided tour of the show dairy including the historic Stöckli (1741), Feuerwagenkäserei (1900), and Königsweg, concluding with cheese tasting. Available in German, English, and French for groups up to 25 persons, approximately 1 hour duration. Base price CHF 165 per group.
• Banquets and Group Events Event hosting services for groups including family celebrations, corporate events, bus and travel groups, and school classes. Venues include a hall (80-100 persons), garden terrace (140 persons), and restaurant with winter garden (160 persons). Group packages include coffee and croissant (CHF 6.00/person), 3-course lunch (from CHF 32.00/person) for groups up to 200 persons.
• Seminars and Meetings Seminar and meeting facilities with three venue options: meeting room (up to 8 persons), Gaden (up to 12 persons), and hall (up to 120 persons). Package offerings include half-day packages from CHF 55 per person and full-day packages from CHF 99 per person, with catering and Königsweg experience included.
• Weddings Wedding event hosting with multiple venue options including restaurant with winter garden (160 persons), hall (80-100 persons), and garden terrace (140 persons, standing reception up to 250). Includes apéro and dinner services with regional Swiss cuisine.
• Catering Service Off-site catering service delivering Emmental specialties to customer-specified locations. Prepared food transported in thermal containers for pickup or delivery.
• Cheese Store (Käsefachgeschäft) On-site cheese retail shop offering the largest selection of Emmentaler AOP and unique Emmental specialty cheeses. Open 9:00-17:00, 365 days per year.
• Emmentaler Gift Baskets Pre-packaged gift baskets featuring Emmental regional products, suitable for gifting occasions.
• Cheese Boards (Käseplatten) Ready-to-serve cheese platters featuring regional Emmental cheese selections.
• Gift Vouchers (Gutscheine) Gift vouchers available for purchase, redeemable for Emmentaler Schaukäserei experiences, meals, and accommodation services.
• Carriage Rides (Rösslifahrten) Horse-drawn carriage tours around the show dairy area, with picnic basket options available. Up to four carriages available, each holding up to 12 passengers for approximately 1.5-hour rides. CHF 310 per wagon.
• E-Bike Rentals E-bike rental service with 6 FLYER E-bikes available from April to October. Full day CHF 60, half day CHF 43. Located on the Herzroute cycling path. Official Rent a Bike partner station.
• Sennenbrunch Buffet Sunday and holiday all-you-can-eat brunch buffet featuring regional breads, cheese selections, meat and fish platters, yogurt, cereals, juice bar, and cheese cake. Available for private events from 35 persons on weekdays.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rent a BikeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial Rent a Bike partner station providing E-bike rentals on-site. Six FLYER E-bikes available for guests April-October, positioned along the Herzroute cycling path.
• Valley AdventuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExternal tour operator offering guided E-bike tours through the Emmental region, with stops at the Emmentaler Schaukäserei for lunch and cheese experiences.
• Bäckerei Meier (Meier Bakery)minorOthersExternal bakery operating within the show dairy premises in the historic Feuerwagenkäserei building. Specializes in long-fermented dough breads with up to 48 hours resting time. Provides baked goods for the restaurant and brunch offerings.
• e-gumacoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal ticketing and voucher platform powering the online shop for tickets, gift vouchers, and experience bookings. Critical infrastructure for online sales and reservation management.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Emmi Group: Largest Swiss dairy processor and Emmentaler producer. Provides broad industry context and competitive benchmark for cheese production economics, branding, and AOP product strategy.
• Heineken Experience: Brewery visitor experience in Amsterdam combining self-guided tours, tastings, and branded retail. Comparable established beverage-brand experiential tourism model.
• Lindt Home of Chocolate: Swiss chocolate experience museum and tour in Kilchberg. Comparable format of branded food heritage visitor attraction with self-guided tour, tastings, retail store, and dining.

Others

• Tasting Collection / Swiss food experience operators: Swiss multi-site culinary experience pass covering cheese, chocolate, and wine destinations. Represents distribution and bundling competitive dynamic for Swiss food tourism bookings.
• Swiss Cheese Route (Käseroute): Tourism network connecting Swiss cheese dairies along themed cycling routes. The Emmentaler Schaukäserei is a partner stop; the broader route represents ecosystem-level competition for cheese-tourist itineraries.

Direct peers

• Maison du Gruyère: Show dairy in Pringy-Gruyères (Switzerland) producing Le Gruyère AOP with viewing galleries, tastings, restaurant, and gift shop. Same AOP-cheese + tourism experiential model in a different Swiss canton.
• Appenzeller Schaukäserei: Swiss show dairy in Appenzellerland producing Appenzeller cheese with visitor tours, restaurant, and retail operations. Most direct comparable format combining live cheese production with tourism experiences.

Regional players

• Fromagerie Bellelay: Historic Swiss cheese producer and tourist destination in the Jura region. Comparable Swiss cheese heritage site with production viewing and retail operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emmentaler-schauk%C3%A4serei-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Emmentaler Schaukäserei AG