Ständige Vertretung

What Ständige Vertretung does

Ständige Vertretung (StäV) is a privately held German hospitality company operating a chain of "Polit-Kult-Lokale" (political-culture pubs) under the Drautzburg-Grunert GbR partnership. Founded in Berlin on September 13, 1997 by Friedel Drautzburg and Harald Grunert as a satirical "embassy of Bonn in Berlin" following the federal government's relocation, the company serves Rhineland regional cuisine (Himmel un Ääd, Rheinischer Sauerbraten, Kölsche Hämmchen) and Kölsch beer on draft to a mix of government officials, journalists, Rhineland expatriates, and general diners. The concept has expanded via a franchise/license model administered by the Konzeptbüro under Harald Grunert, with active locations in Berlin-Mitte (flagship, operated through Ständige Vertretung Gastronomie GmbH since 2017), Bremen (since 2003, Maria Baum-Boushina), Hannover (since 2001, SKW-Gastro GbR), and Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 1 (since 2020, Wöllhaf-Gruppe).

The business model is hybrid. The original Berlin location generates direct food-and-beverage revenue at the flagship site, while the other three venues are operated by independent licensees who pay royalties to the central Konzeptbüro. Pricing is standard hospitality (pay-as-you-go, no menu disclosure) with group reservation and cancellation policies; payment methods include cash, major credit cards, and EC/Maestro. Distribution is exclusively physical - no e-commerce, no delivery, no digital products. The technology stack is minimal: a brochure-style website with location pages, a separate Konzeptbüro and Christmas-event microsite, and ticket.io integration for event ticketing. The StäV trademark (owl logo based on the federal eagle, with the "Plem-Plem" gesture) is registered.

The StäV brand derives equity from its political positioning, cultural programming (carnival, "Loss mer singe" singing events, the Ben Wagin Wall Project, mini-cruises with HÖHNER on Phoenix Reisen's ARTANIA), and documented visits by German chancellors, celebrities (Wim Wenders, Ben Kingsley, Wolfgang Niedecken, Günter Grass), and media (Der Spiegel, Deutsche Welle documentary). The central organization employs approximately 9 people focused on licensing administration, brand stewardship, and concept development. Prior locations in Leipzig, Sylt, Hamburg, Köln, and Köln-Bonn Airport have closed, indicating selective rather than dense geographic expansion.

Name

Ständige Vertretung

Legal name

Drautzburg-Grunert GbR

Website

https://staev.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ständige Vertretung (StäV) is a privately held German hospitality company operating four Polit-Kult-Lokale (political-culture pubs) serving Rhineland cuisine and Kölsch beer in Berlin, Bremen, Hannover, and Berlin Brandenburg Airport, via direct operations and a franchise licensing model administered by the founders' Konzeptbüro.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

German Restaurant / Political Culture Pub

NAICS

Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Ethnic & Regional Cuisine Restaurants (THAFACAD)

Keywords

• Rhineland cuisine restaurants
• Kölsch beer hospitality
• Political culture pubs
• German restaurant licensing
• Rhineland expat dining

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Direct restaurant revenue from food and beverage sales at all four locations. Serves Rhineland specialties (Himmel un Ääd, Rheinischer Sauerbraten, Kölsche Hämmchen), Kölsch beer on draft, and flammekuchen. Each location operates daily with varying hours, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
2. Licensing Royalties: Licensing fees collected from franchise/license partners who operate StäV locations under the brand concept. The Konzeptbüro managed by Harald Grunert administers these licenses. Partners include SKW-Gastro GbR (Hannover), Wöllhaf-Gruppe (Berlin Airport), and others who operate locations in their respective cities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ständige Vertretung operates Polit-Kult-Lokal (political culture pubs) serving authentic Rhineland cuisine and Kölsch beer across four German locations (Berlin, Bremen, Hannover, Berlin Airport BER). The business combines restaurant dining with cultural events, private party hosting, and a licensing program that allows independent operators to run StäV-branded establishments. Founded in 1997, the brand is positioned as a cultural institution celebrating Rhineland heritage in Berlin and other German cities.

Product overview

Ständige Vertretung (StäV) is a hospitality company operating a chain of Polit-Kult-Lokal (political culture pubs) in Germany. The portfolio consists of four restaurant locations: StäV Berlin-Mitte (the original, opened 1997), StäV Bremen (2003), StäV Hannover (2001), and StäV Berlin Airport BER (2020). Each venue serves Kölsch beer, Rhenish cuisine (Himmel un Ääd, Rheinischer Sauerbraten, Kölsche Hämmchen), and Flammekuchen, with the Berlin location also offering Berliner dishes. The company operates a licensing program for franchise expansion and provides event hosting services including carnival parties, Christmas events, and group dining. The brand is known for its political and cultural connections, having hosted numerous German politicians and celebrities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• StäV Berlin-Mitte (Original) The original Ständige Vertretung restaurant located at Schiffbauerdamm 8 in Berlin Mitte, near the government quarter. A Polit-Kult-Lokal (political culture pub) that serves Kölsch beer, Rhenish specialties, and Berliner dishes. Open daily 11:00-01:00.
• StäV Bremen Restaurant located at Böttcherstraße 3-5 in Bremen's historic center. Offers Rhenish specialties, Bremen specialties, and Kölsch beer. Open Tue-Thu 12:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-24:00. Closed Sun-Mon.
• StäV Hannover Restaurant at Friedrichswall 10 near Aegi in Hanover. Features live broadcasts of Hannover 96 football matches. Open Tue-Sun 11:00-23:30. Closed Monday.
• StäV Berlin Airport BER Restaurant in the security area of Berlin Brandenburg Airport Terminal 1. Serves breakfast, drinks, and food. Open daily 04:00-22:30. Operated by C. Wöllhaf GastroService GmbH.
• StäV Licensing Program (StäV Lizenz) Franchise/license program for establishing StäV restaurants in state capitals. The StäV concept is licensed as 'branches of political gastronomy' through the Konzeptbüro (concept office) managed by Harald Grunert. Licensees gain brand rights, concept support, and founder approval.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the highest-selling German establishments for Kölsch beer, despite operating 'im tiefsten Preußen' (in the heart of Prussian Berlin)

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wöllhaf-Gruppe (C. Wöllhaf GastroService GmbH)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 October 2020Licensee operating StäV Berlin Airport at BER Terminal 1 security area. Opened October 31, 2020. Handles day-to-day operations including staffing, food service, and customer interactions at airport location.
• Phoenix ReisenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014German travel operator for the cruise ship ARTANIA. Partnered with StäV for 'Minikreuzfahrt' (mini-cruise) through Kattegat and Skagerak under 'Rheinischer Frohsinn auf hoher See' (Rhenish cheer on the high seas) theme. 1,180 guests participated. Created 'first floating StäV' on Salon-Deck 3.
• HÖHNER (Kölschrock Band)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Famous Cologne (Kölsch) rock band partnered with StäV for mini-cruise event on Phoenix Reisen ARTANIA. Band performed during voyage as part of 'Rheinischer Frohsinn auf hoher See' themed cruise.
• Ben Wagin (1930-2021)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009German environmental and action artist. Collaborated with founders Drautzburg and Grunert on Mauerprojekt (Wall Project). Created artistic installations using original Berlin Wall segments. Installed works at StäV Berlin terrace, Deutsche Welle Bonn, Bremen 'Platz der Deutschen Einheit', Wittlich birthplace, and Köln-Bonn Airport. Ben Wagin died July 28, 2021.
• Deutsche WellecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009German international broadcaster. Received loan of original Berlin Wall segment from Drautzburg and Grunert, installed December 21, 2009 before Schürmann-Bau headquarters in Bonn. Deutsche Welle documented Wall Project for euromaxx program. Also created 2007 documentary about StäV 10th anniversary.
• Deutsche Welle (Documentary)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2007German international broadcaster created 9:27 minute documentary film celebrating StäV 10-year anniversary. Film featured on Deutsche Welle, generating international publicity for the brand.
• Maria Baum-Boushina (Ständige Vertretung im Flett Gastronomie GmbH)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2003Current operator of StäV Bremen at Böttcherstraße 3-5 in historic building. Manages restaurant operations including staffing, reservations, and food service. Inherited location from earlier operators.
• SKW-Gastro GbR (Matthias Wenckel, Mirco Peters)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2001Licensee operating StäV Hannover since 2001. Located at Friedrichswall 10. SKW-Gastro continues as exclusive Hannover operator, with founders' approval and brand support from Konzeptbüro.
• lossmersinge.deminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExternal website hosting information about 'Loss mer singe' (Let's sing) event series held at StäV locations. Voting system for favorite carnival session songs. Textzettel (lyric sheets) distributed with Kugelschreiber (pens) for voting.
• Porzellanmanufaktur RosenthalminorOthersGerman porcelain manufacturer produced limited edition miniature Wall Project pieces - artistic interpretations of Berlin Wall segments in fine porcelain. Each piece individually hand-finished by Ben Wagin.
• Stadt Bremen / Bürgermeisterin Karoline LinnertminorOthersCity of Bremen received artistically designed Berlin Wall segment as permanent loan from StäV founders. Installed September 28, 2010 at 'Platz der Deutschen Einheit' between Übersee-Museum and main train station, unveiled for German Unity Day celebrations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lutter & Wegner: Historic Berlin restaurant and Weinstube (since 1816) serving German/Austrian cuisine. Direct peer as a high-prestige Berlin traditional restaurant competing for the same Berlin tourist, political, and cultural diner.
• Gaffel am Dom: Iconic Kölsch brewery and restaurant adjacent to Cologne Cathedral. Directly comparable to StäV: serves Kölsch beer from the Gaffel brewery alongside traditional Rhineland cuisine to a mix of locals, tourists, and politically/culturally engaged customers. Same Rhineland-gastro pub concept.
• Sion Kölsch Brauhaus: Traditional Kölsch brewery-restaurant in Cologne's old town serving Rhineland specialties and Kölsch on tap. Same concept as StäV (Rhineland regional cuisine + Kölsch culture), competing for the same Rhineland-gastro dining occasion in its home market.
• Päffgen Brauhaus: Historic Cologne Brauhaus brewing Päffgen Kölsch and serving Rhineland classics. Direct peer for the Kölsch-and-Rhineland-cuisine dining experience that defines StäV's concept.
• Zur Letzten Instanz: Berlin's oldest continuously operating restaurant (since 1621), located in the same Mitte historic district as the original StäV. Direct peer as a destination Berlin traditional restaurant with strong historical/institutional brand identity.
• Früh am Dom: Famous Cologne brewery and restaurant next to the Cathedral; one of the largest Kölsch-selling establishments in Germany. Same Rhineland Brauhaus/Gasthaus model as StäV — Kölsch beer, regional Rhineland dishes, atmospheric beer-hall setting — making it a direct culinary and experiential peer.

Broad incumbents

• Augustiner-Keller: Large traditional Munich brewery beer garden and restaurant. Comparable as a German regional brewery-restaurant institution; broader incumbent with much larger scale, same cultural-restaurant positioning as StäV.
• Hofbräuhaus München: World-famous Bavarian beer hall and restaurant. Broader incumbent offering the parallel German 'regional beer hall + regional cuisine' model (Bavarian instead of Rhineland) at much larger scale — comparable business model and category even though cuisine is different.
• Paulaner am Dom: Bavarian brewery-run restaurant in Frankfurt. Broad incumbent German brewery-restaurant concept with multi-city footprint; comparable to StäV's franchise-style regional German brewery-restaurant positioning.

Regional players

• Brauhaus Südstern: Berlin-based brewery-restaurant serving German cuisine and house-brewed beer. Comparable regional player in StäV's home market, competing for the same Berlin traditional-restaurant diner with a similar concept (German food + brewery beer).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st%C3%A4ndige-vertretung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Ständige Vertretung