Vereniging Chinese - Aziatische Horeca Ondernemers (VCHO)

What Vereniging Chinese - Aziatische Horeca Ondernemers (VCHO) does

Vereniging Chinese-Aziatische Horeca Ondernemers (VCHO) is a Dutch trade association (vereniging) founded in 2012 and headquartered in Amstelveen, North Holland. It is the largest industry organization for Chinese-Asian hospitality entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, representing operators of restaurants, cafeterias (cafetaria's), and hotels. VCHO's mission is to protect the material and immaterial interests of the Asian hospitality sector through lobbying, government advocacy, sector-specific training, advice, and a portfolio of negotiated member benefits.

The portfolio of products and services consists of (i) a Member Benefits Program (Ledenvoordelen) delivering quantified discounts with partner suppliers including Sligro (~8% on food), Metos/Ali Group (30% on kitchen equipment), Heineken (beer), Vrumona (soft drinks), CCV-Pin and Easy Payment/PAYONE (payment processing), Buma/Stemra (17% extra discount), Sena (14.5%), and Videma (12% on media licensing); (ii) advisory services covering GVVA work permits for Asian cooks, hygiene, food safety, environment, and workplace safety; (iii) an Academy offering GVVA Masterclasses, BHV (first aid), and Sociale Hygiëne certifications; and (iv) the VCHO NextGen youth program. The association also operates the Aziatisch Paviljoen at Horecava and convenes annual member days (Ledendagen), regional theme meetings, and webinars.

VCHO's revenue model is straightforward membership dues on an annual subscription basis, with pricing not publicly disclosed. The organization is lean (8 employees), supported by a board led by Chairman Bin Yu and Director Liping Lin. It engages in collective advocacy through the Horeca Alliantie (with ProFri and NHG) and via a partnership with ONL (Ondernemend Nederland), and has been actively pursuing litigation against the Ministry of Social Affairs (SZW) over the removal of specific function requirements for Asian cooks, with a District Court ruling issued May 14, 2025.

Name

Vereniging Chinese - Aziatische Horeca Ondernemers (VCHO)

Legal name

Vereniging Chinese-Aziatische Horeca Ondernemers

Website

https://vcho.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VCHO is the largest Dutch trade association for Chinese-Asian hospitality entrepreneurs, founded in 2012. It serves operators of restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels with lobbying, sector-specific training, and negotiated member discounts on supplies, payment processing, and licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Netherlands

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: VCHO generates revenue through annual membership fees from Chinese-Asian hospitality entrepreneurs (restaurants, cafeterias, hotels) in the Netherlands. Members receive access to discounted supplier services, advice, training, lobby representation, and other member benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VCHO is the largest trade association for Chinese-Asian hospitality entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, providing lobbying and advocacy, member discounts on supplies and services, professional training courses, and advisory services on regulatory compliance. Members include operators of Chinese-Asian restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels who pay annual membership fees to access these benefits and sector representation.

Product overview

Vereniging Chinese-Aziatische Horeca Ondernemers (VCHO) is a trade association for Chinese-Asian hospitality entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. Rather than a unified software platform, it offers a portfolio of member benefits including food sourcing discounts (Sligro, Vrumona, Heineken, Boba Supply), payment processing services (CCV-Pin, Easy Payment), music and entertainment licensing (Buma/Stemra, Sena, Videma), professional kitchen equipment suppliers (RG Grootkeuken, Metos), and educational courses (Masterclass, BHV, Sociale Hygiëne). The organization also provides advisory services covering GVVA work permits, hygiene, food safety, and environmental compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VCHO NextGen: Youth/growth program for next generation members of the association

Products and services

• VCHO Membership (Lidmaatschap) Annual membership program for Chinese-Asian hospitality entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, providing access to lobbying and advocacy, member discounts on supplies and services, professional training, and advisory services on regulatory compliance.
• Education & Training (Academy/Opleidingen) Professional training courses for VCHO members including GVVA Masterclasses, BHV (First Aid/Emergency Response) courses, and Sociale Hygiëne (Social Hygiene) certification required for hospitality compliance.
• Advisory Services (Advies) Expert consultation services for VCHO members covering GVVA (work permits for Asian cooks), hygiene regulations, food safety, environmental compliance, and workplace safety for restaurant operations.
• VCHO NextGen Networking and engagement program for younger Chinese-Asian hospitality entrepreneurs and next-generation members of the association, organizing social events such as boat parties and networking gatherings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17% extra discount on Buma/Stemra music licensing
• +4 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Horeca AlliantiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCHO collaborates with ProFri (Vereniging Professionele Frituurders) and NHG (Nederlands Horeca Gilde) in the Horeca Alliantie to jointly advocate for hospitality sector interests, develop joint positions on regulations, and coordinate advocacy efforts with government ministries and parliament.
• SligrocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSligro provides VCHO members with approximately 8% average discount on most purchased products for Asian hospitality. Sligro also hosts VCHO-Ledendagen (Member Days) at ZiN! Inspiratielab and provides event catering.
• CCVmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCV provides payment terminals and transaction processing services. VCHO members receive discounts on payment terminals and transaction fees, with booking periods aligned to hospitality opening hours.
• Easy Payment (PAYONE)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerEasy Payment, working with PAYONE (largest card processor in Europe), offers VCHO members preferential rates for Visa and MasterCard acceptance.
• Buma/StemramajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCopyright organization representing composers and lyricists in the Netherlands. VCHO members receive 17% extra discount on Buma/Stemra music licensing fees.
• SenamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization representing musicians and producers for public performance licensing. VCHO members receive 14.5% extra discount on Sena licensing.
• VidemamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization representing TV program makers for copyright licensing. VCHO members receive 12% extra discount on Videma TV licensing fees.
• EazisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEazis offers royalty-free music systems (RoyaltySmart, Premium) for VCHO members. Music playback via tablet or mobile with 19+ genre choices. Special rates for VCHO members.
• Boba SupplyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the largest suppliers of bubble tea materials and packaging in the Netherlands. VCHO members receive discounts on the full Boba Supply assortment.
• RG GrootkeukenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialist in Rational combisteamers for Asian hospitality. Provides consultation on optimal steam oven use for Asian kitchens, improving kitchen efficiency and consistency.
• HeinekenmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVCHO members receive high discounts on beer including draft beer (fust or cellar beer), bottled beer, and specialty beers.
• Bottle BusinessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier of Springbay batched (pre-mixed) cocktails enabling quick cocktail service. VCHO members receive discounts on all beverages purchased from Bottle Business.
• Biden VOFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupplier of sushi machines and rice cookers for professional Asian kitchens. Understands requirements of professional Asian kitchens and provides reliable equipment.
• VrumonamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVrumona provides VCHO members with fixed high bonus discounts on soft drinks including Pepsi, Sisi, Royal Club, and Lipton Ice Tea, calculated annually based on wholesale purchases. Also offers discounted Gamko cooling units.
• Miss LinhminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline supplier of Vietnamese products. VCHO members receive discounts on orders via Miss Linh.
• MetosmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDutch specialist for professional kitchens and dishwashing. Part of Ali Group (top 3 globally). VCHO members receive 30% standard discount on all brands under the Ali Group, except Combisteamers. 24/7 service available throughout Netherlands.
• NowWorkxminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecruitment, secondment, and payroll services for skilled temporary workers from Europe. Specializes in service staff and assistant cooks. VCHO members receive discounts on hourly rates.
• JamezzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovative self-order software provider for hospitality offering QR ordering, tablet ordering apps, and ordering kiosks. VCHO members receive 10% discount on subscription costs and €100 discount on €425 connection fees.
• ResengominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline reservation system provider with 20 years of experience. VCHO members receive 20% discount on regular prices (€59-€109), starting from €47.20 per month.
• Smartrobot.solutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvider of service robots for hospitality, including serving robots and cleaning robots. VCHO organizes demonstrations at theme meetings.
• RATIONALmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer of iCombi Pro and iVario Pro combisteamers and cooking equipment. Provides demonstrations and training for Asian cuisine preparation at VCHO events.
• COMCAMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy portfolio management and advisory services. Helps negotiate better energy rates and provides strategic energy planning for hospitality businesses.
• PluqminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvider of free EV charging stations for restaurants and hotels. Pluq invests in charging stations, handles installation, maintenance, and billing. No cost to VCHO members.
• Bartels ConsultancyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsultancy assisting hospitality businesses with WOZ (property value) objections and tax savings. VCHO members receive free services.
• ScopiusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvider of free EV charging stations without investment required from hospitality businesses. Scopius handles installation, maintenance, and user billing. VCHO members receive 3 cent kickback per kWh.
• ONL (Ondernemend Nederland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurs' organization providing lobbying support and political advocacy for VCHO. ONL Chairman Erik Ziengs supported the petition for Asian cooks and participated in parliamentary discussions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MKB-Nederland: Dutch SME employer association representing broad small and mid-sized business interests. VCHO engages with MKB-aligned political networks (e.g., via ONL) and is comparable as an advocacy organization, though broader in scope.
• Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN): The largest Dutch hospitality industry trade association, representing hotels, restaurants, and cafés nationally. VCHO is the ethnic-specific counterpart to KHN's broad horeca umbrella, and the two overlap on lobbying, training, and member-benefit programs.

Direct peers

• ONL voor Ondernemers: Dutch entrepreneurs' organization explicitly listed as a strategic partner providing VCHO with lobbying support and political advocacy. Directly comparable as a vereniging delivering advocacy and representation services to its members.
• Vereniging Professionele Frituurders (ProFri): Dutch trade association for professional frituurders, a close ally of VCHO within the Horeca Alliantie coalition. Operates the same business model (vereniging, membership dues, lobbying, supplier discounts) and competes/collaborates on similar regulatory issues.
• Nederlands Horeca Gilde (NHG): Independent hospitality association that partners with VCHO and ProFri in the Horeca Alliantie. Directly comparable as a Dutch horeca vereniging offering membership, advocacy, and supplier benefits.

Others

• Koninklijke Vereniging MKB-Nederland: KVK (Chamber of Commerce) is a structural peer as the public-sector registry/administrative counterpart to Dutch branch organizations. It is not a direct competitor but is part of the same Dutch SMB support and representation infrastructure.
• ANKO (Algemene Nederlandse Kappers Organisatie): Dutch trade association for the hairdressing sector. Comparable as a Dutch vereniging delivering supplier benefits, training, and advocacy for a specific SMB vertical, illustrating VCHO's structural peer set within the Dutch branch organization ecosystem.

Regional players

• Asian Restaurant Association (UK): UK trade association for Asian restaurants and takeaways. Highly comparable in mission and member profile (Chinese/Asian hospitality operators), but serves a different geography.
• CRA (Chinese Restaurant Association, US): US-based trade group for Chinese restaurants and Asian cuisine operators. Functionally parallel to VCHO as an ethnic-specific horeca association focused on Chinese restaurant owners, but operating in North America.
• Goldbet (Italian Asian Restaurant Association): Italian-Chinese hospitality business association. Comparable as an ethnic-specific horeca trade body representing Chinese restaurateurs, though operating in a different national market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vereniging-chinese-aziatische-horeca-ondernemers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Vereniging Chinese - Aziatische Horeca Ondernemers (VCHO)