DRC - Danmarks Restauranter & Caféer

What DRC - Danmarks Restauranter & Caféer does

DRC - Danmarks Restauranter & Caféer is Denmark's largest trade association for the restaurant, cafe, bar, nightclub, catering, and hotel industries, operating as a member-owned forening (association) under Danish law since 1939. It serves approximately 1,200 member businesses nationwide through a tiered membership model: Basis membership at 7,000-11,000 DKK annually depending on company size and outlet count, and a Full-Service tier priced as a base fee plus a percentage of personnel costs, which adds legal case handling and litigation support. Core member services include branchespecific legal advice (labor law and commercial law), political advocacy at municipal and national levels, ESG/sustainability advisory (the organization joined the UN Global Compact in 2017), training, and access to 25+ negotiated vendor partnerships covering payment processing, POS, payroll, insurance, energy, fuel, food service, and ESG reporting.

The technology footprint is modest: a WordPress-based website (thehost.dk) functions as the primary information and member-acquisition platform, supplemented by Microsoft Forms for enrollment, social media presence (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram), email newsletters, and member-only digital resources. DRC does not develop proprietary technology; differentiated digital capabilities come through partner integrations, notably SameSystem's AI-assisted workforce management and Valified's ESG reporting platform. Distribution is entirely direct, with no resellers: members enroll via website, phone, email, or on-site conversion at industry events such as Food Festival (Aarhus) and Copenhagen Cooking. The organization is governed by a board of working restaurateurs and led by director Torben Hoffmann Rosenstock, with sub-brands DRC Nat (nightlife, ~350 members), Branchenetværk for catering, and Silkeborg Restauratørforening (founded 2024) deepening vertical and geographic coverage.

Name

DRC - Danmarks Restauranter & Caféer

Legal name

Danmarks Restauranter og Cafeer

Website

https://thehost.dk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DRC - Danmarks Restauranter & Caféer is Denmark's largest member-owned trade association for the restaurant, cafe, bar, nightclub, catering and hotel industries, providing approximately 1,200 member businesses with legal advisory, political advocacy, ESG guidance, training, and access to 25+ negotiated vendor partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: DRC generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees. Membership fees vary by company size and type, ranging from approximately 7,000 to 11,000 DKK annually for basic membership, with a full-service tier that includes a base fee plus a percentage of personnel costs. In most cases, the partner discounts and savings negotiated by DRC offset the membership fee cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DRC is a member-owned trade association for the Danish restaurant, café, bar, nightclub, catering and hotel industry. It sells annual membership subscriptions (Basis and Full-Service tiers) that bundle specialized legal advisory services, political advocacy, ESG/sustainability guidance, training, and access to 25+ negotiated vendor partnership agreements offering operational discounts.

Product overview

DRC - Danmarks Restauranter & Caféer is a membership-based industry organization for Danish restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, hotels, and catering businesses. The core offering consists of two membership tiers (Basis and Full-Service) providing political advocacy, specialized legal advice in labor and commercial law, ESG advisory services, training programs, and access to 25+ vendor partnership agreements. The product portfolio includes DRC's own services (membership, legal consultation, political representation, ESG guidance) combined with discounted access to partner solutions covering POS systems (Shopbox), payment processing (NETS, Verifone), workforce management (SameSystem with AI scheduling, Ziik), payroll (DataLøn Branche), insurance (FPR, Söderberg & Partners), food safety (eSmiley), energy (Norsk Elkraft), fuel (Circle K), telecommunications (Relatel), and ESG reporting (Valified). SameSystem offers AI-powered shift optimization as a differentiated workforce management feature.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DRC Nat: DRC's branch association for nightlife: bars, nightclubs, discotheques, pubs and similar establishments with late closing hours. Has existed since 2010 and has approximately 350 members.
• Silkeborg Restauratørforening
• Branchenetværk for catering- og frokostvirksomheder

Products and services

• DRC Basis Medlemskab
• DRC Full-Service Medlemskab
• Juridisk Rådgivning (Legal Advisory)
• Politisk Interessevaretagelse (Political Advocacy)
• ESG-rådgivning
• DRC Uddannelse (Training & Courses)
• Medlemsfordele (Member Benefits Portfolio)

Quantifiable outcome

• Member benefits (discounted partner agreements) typically offset the membership fee cost in most cases
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration2 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NetscoreTechnology or IntegrationNets provides payment processing services including Dankort and all major card schemes. DRC members receive favorable pricing on payment agreements. Nets offers 99.99% uptime, competitive service fees, free setup, and no monthly fees on card agreements. Members get 2-day settlement and access to Nets' MyPayments app.
• VerifonecoreTechnology or IntegrationVerifone is Denmark's largest payment terminal provider with over 30 years of experience. DRC members receive 25% discount on list prices for terminal purchases and 10% on All-in-One agreements. Over 10 years of partnership history with DRC.
• ShopboxcoreTechnology or IntegrationShopbox provides POS (point-of-sale) systems designed for the service industry. As DRC's POS partner, Shopbox offers members 10% discount on all subscriptions, setup, and installation. Includes cash management, table management, sales reporting, and online ordering integrations.
• Söderberg & PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationSöderberg & Partners serves as DRC's independent pension and insurance broker, offering members access to PFA Pension and health insurance packages optimized for both salaried and hourly employees. Packages are tailored to the hospitality sector's workforce composition. Free and independent advisory services included.
• FPR ForsikringsmæglercoreTechnology or IntegrationFPR Forsikringsmægler provides independent, non-aligned insurance advisory services exclusively for DRC members. Offers free insurance review, branch-specific advisory, personalized insurance programs, and personal account management. Over 10 years of experience in the restaurant industry.
• Dansk Cater (AB Catering, BC Catering, Inco Cash & Carry, Systemkøb)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDansk Cater (via AB Catering, BC Catering, Inco Cash & Carry) provides foodservice wholesale distribution across Denmark. From January 2025, DRC members can earn bonus on their DRC membership fee through Systemkøb purchasing cooperation. Systemkøb is part of Dansk Cater.
• The O Choice (TOC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTOC provides business consulting and advisory services from experienced hospitality professionals. Offers help with concept development, growth plans, restaurant design, visual identity, budget management, accounting, marketing, and press handling.
• Planteløftet (Fonden for Plantebaserede Fødevarer, Kost og Ernæringsforbundet, Food Organisation of Denmark, Landbrug & Fødevarer, Madfællesskabet, Planteværket)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRC supports Planteløftet (The Plant Lift), a project to promote plant-rich menus in professional kitchens. Planteløftet is funded by Fonden for Plantebaserede Fødevarer and is a collaboration between multiple food and hospitality organizations. DRC participates in events, tours, and professional development under this initiative.
• Kantineløftet (Københavns Kommune, FN Byen, Københavns Universitet, CBS, Københavns Professionshøjskole, DR, Jyske Bank, Gyldendal, Jeudan, Dansk Industri, KL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKantineløftet is a partnership of 21 organizations under Copenhagen Municipality's Climate Strategy 2035, aimed at making workplace and educational institution canteens in Copenhagen more climate-friendly and healthier. DRC participates as a partner organization. The partnership covers approximately 140,000 daily diners.
• BARC Scandinavia / Charter for et Fair NattelivminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRC collaborated with BARC Scandinavia and Copenhagen Municipality to develop and launch the Charter for et Natteliv uden Diskrimination (Charter for a Nightlife without Discrimination). The voluntary charter commits venues to promoting equal access and an inclusive atmosphere. Over 40 businesses have signed the charter.
• UN Global Compact / Global Compact Network DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRC is an active member of the UN Global Compact (joined 2017) and its Danish local network, Global Compact Network Denmark. DRC's director Torben Hoffmann Rosenstock sits on the board of Global Compact Network Denmark. DRC publishes Communication on Engagement (COE) reports and follows the 10 principles covering human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
• Food Organisation of Denmark (Food Festival)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDRC partners with Food Organisation of Denmark for the annual Food Festival (September, Aarhus) and Branche-fredag (Industry Friday) event, which serves as a professional networking opportunity for DRC members. Food Festival attracts approximately 30,000 food enthusiasts and 250+ producers annually.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dansk Erhverv: Dansk Erhverv is a major Danish business and industry organization covering hospitality among many other sectors. It competes with DRC for hospitality members seeking broader lobbying reach, international trade support, and cross-sector networking.
• UKHospitality: UKHospitality is the representative body for the UK's hospitality sector, providing advocacy, legal guidance, and member benefits. Comparable to DRC in mandate and service mix but covering the UK market.
• National Restaurant Association (US): The National Restaurant Association is the largest foodservice trade association in the United States, providing advocacy, training, and member benefits. Comparable to DRC in mandate but at significantly greater scale.
• DEHOGA (Germany): DEHOGA is the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, the largest hospitality trade association in Europe. It is comparable to DRC in advocacy and member services but operates at much larger scale across Germany.

Direct peers

• HORESTA: HORESTA is the Danish trade association for hotels, restaurants, cafes and tourism — DRC's most direct domestic competitor. Both serve overlapping member segments in the Danish hospitality market with advocacy, legal advice, and member benefits.

Regional players

• NHO Reiseliv (Norway): NHO Reiseliv is the Norwegian hospitality industry association within the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise. It mirrors DRC's role of representing hotels, restaurants, and catering operators in another Nordic market.
• UMIH (France): UMIH is the principal French trade union for hotel, restaurant, café, and nightclub operators. Comparable to DRC in its sector focus and member-services model but operating in the French market.
• Visita (Sweden): Visita is the Swedish trade and employer association for the hospitality industry. It is directly comparable to DRC in mandate (advocacy, legal advice, member benefits) but operates in the adjacent Nordic market of Sweden.

Others

• Food Organisation of Denmark: Food Organisation of Denmark is the industry association behind the Food Festival and broader Danish food ecosystem initiatives. It is an event and ecosystem partner of DRC rather than a direct competitor, with shared interest in promoting the Danish food industry.
• 3F (Fagligt Fælles Forbund): 3F is a major Danish trade union representing hospitality, service, and transport workers. It is adjacent to DRC rather than a direct competitor, but both engage with overlapping employer/employee constituencies on labor regulation and collective agreements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/drc.danmark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/danmarks-restauranter-&-cafeer
• Instagraminstagram.com/danmarksrestauranterogcafeer

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 DRC - Danmarks Restauranter & Caféer