HOFMANNs

What HOFMANNs does

HOFMANNs (Hofmann Menü-Manufaktur GmbH) is a German family-owned frozen meal manufacturer founded in 1964 as a butcher shop in Boxberg-Schweigern, Baden-Württemberg. Over six decades the company has scaled to 1,200+ employees and an operational footprint spanning production in Unterschüpf and Tauberbischofsheim, five regional warehouses (Hamburg, Korschenbroich/Glehn, Wustermark, Kelsterbach, Kirchheim), a sales/marketing office in Erkrath, and active markets in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The core business is B2B institutional catering, supplying frozen meals to roughly 300 hospitals and clinics, plus schools, kindergartens, senior facilities and corporate clients, with a parallel B2C online shop and emerging vending channel.

The product portfolio is anchored on a handcrafted "Manufaktur" approach featuring an in-house spice kitchen and the proprietary BIOPAP packaging line. Core offerings include System-Menü and Complete-Care (170+ menus for hospital/clinical use), Klassische Betriebsverpflegung (250+ menus for corporate catering), HOFMANNs To Go (a smart refrigerated vending solution for shift workers), and Essen auf Rädern (Meals on Wheels). Distribution is supported by a fleet of 100+ refrigerated trucks and a multi-site production base, with sourcing weighted toward regional suppliers (64% regional raw materials) and long-term partners such as Landeszuchtanstalt and Taubermühle Kuhn.

Revenue mechanics combine B2B institutional supply contracts (with a €350 minimum order), direct-to-consumer e-commerce, unattended vending, and food-donation partnerships with Caritas Frankfurt and Stuttgarter Tafel. The operation is held to a stack of certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 50001, BCS-Öko-Garantie bio-certification, DGE ZERT-KONFORM and DLG awards, with sustainability metrics reported at <4% food waste, 100% returnable packaging, and a 48%+ vegan/vegetarian menu share. Recent commercial moves include the 2023 Mimi-Box collaboration with brand ambassador Michael "Mimi" Kraus and continued build-out of the smart-vending channel.

Name

HOFMANNs

Legal name

Hofmann Menü-Manufaktur GmbH

Website

https://hofmanns.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

HOFMANNs is a German family-owned frozen meal manufacturer founded in 1964, employing 1,200+ staff across DACH. It produces handcrafted frozen meals for institutional catering (300+ hospitals, schools, senior facilities, corporations) and direct-to-consumer delivery via vending and e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Frozen Prepared Meals Manufacturing

NAICS

Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing (311412), Frozen Food Manufacturing (31141), Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers (42442)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Frozen prepared meals & entrées manufacturing (AFAKAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Frozen Prepared Meals & Entrées Wholesale (AFAIAHAG), Frozen Prepared Meals Retail (CRAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Frozen prepared meals
• Institutional food service
• Cook & Freeze production
• Meal delivery service
• Out-of-home catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Boxberg-Schweigern

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. B2B Institutional Food Service: Wholesale B2B sales of frozen menu systems to institutional customers including companies (canteens), kindergartens, schools, senior care facilities, and clinics/hospitals. Priced at wholesale prices per current price list, plus VAT, with minimum order value of €350 net and €6.95 freight per shipment. Payment due within 10 days of receipt.
2. B2C Private Customer Shop: Direct-to-consumer frozen meal sales via the Hofmanns online shop (hofmanns-shop.de). Consumers order meals delivered directly to their doorstep.
3. Essen auf Rädern (Meals on Wheels): Delivery service through a service partner, delivering meals directly to individuals' homes (primarily seniors and private consumers).
4. HOFMANNs To Go (Smart Mini-Canteen): 24/7 smart vending machine solution for companies with flexible working hours or shift work. Includes cashless payment and simplified billing. Target: companies with at least 40 employees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

HOFMANNs manufactures handcrafted, freshly prepared frozen meals using a proprietary Cook & Freeze (Schockfrosten) process and sells them primarily to institutional customers (companies, Kitas, schools, senior facilities, hospitals/clinics) for employee or patient catering, with a parallel direct-to-consumer online shop and "Essen auf Rädern" meals-on-wheels delivery service for private households.

Product overview

HOFMANNs is a meal manufacturing company (Menü-Manufaktur) operating on a multi-product platform architecture with distinct offerings for different customer segments. The core product portfolio centers on frozen meal systems including System-Menü (finished portioned plate meals for à la carte selection), Complete-Care (comprehensive hospital patient catering), Mehrportionsschalen (multi-portion BIOPAP® trays), Komponenten-Menü (individual components), Einzelportionsschalen (single-portion trays), Trink-Menü (nutritional drinks), and Zusatzsortiment (snacks/desserts). Business solutions comprise Klassische Betriebsverpflegung (traditional employee catering with 250+ menus) and HOFMANNs To Go (smart vending machines for 24/7 availability). Consumer offerings include Essen auf Rädern (meal delivery) and an online shop. Supporting platforms include MenuLounge and KundenCenter for order management. Additional services include nutritional counseling, seminars, and order forms. All products share the core manufacturing philosophy of handmade quality, regional sourcing, and the 'Reinheitsgebot' purity commitment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Complete-Care: Full-service catering solution for hospitals offering pre-packed breakfast, lunch, and dinner for patients.
• HOFMANNs To Go
• System-Menü
• BIOPAP

Products and services

• System-Menü Fertigportionierte Tellermenüs for flexible à la carte ordering in hospitals and clinics. Includes special diet options such as pureed food (pürierte Kost), build-up nutrition (Aufbaukost), and low-sodium diets (natriumarme Kost). Over 170 different menus available.
• Complete-Care Comprehensive patient catering solution providing pre-portioned breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a single source for hospitals, clinics, day clinics, and rehabilitation facilities.
• Mehrportionsschalen High-quality menu components and complete dishes in ½ GN BIOPAP® trays for institutional catering, rehabilitation facilities, cafeterias, and conference catering.
• Komponenten-Menü Individually portionable menu components and complete dishes available as cubes, bulk goods, and pieces for flexible serving in hospitals and cafeterias.
• Einzelportionsschalen Pre-portioned complete meals in BIOPAP® single-portion trays or aluminum trays for rapid à la carte catering in hospitals, cafeterias, and conference settings.
• Trink-Menü High-calorie drink and nutrition foods with balanced nutrient profiles designed for patients with chewing and swallowing difficulties.
• HOFMANNs To Go Smart mini-canteen solution featuring 24/7 frozen food vending machines for companies with flexible working hours or shift operations. Includes cashless payment and simplified billing. Targeted at companies with at least 40 employees.
• Essen auf Rädern Meal delivery service offering either daily hot meals or weekly frozen meal deliveries to private customers, primarily seniors, with options for menu customization and dietary consultation. Delivered through service partners directly to private homes.
• Klassische Betriebsverpflegung Traditional employee catering service offering daily balanced meals in craft quality with over 250 menu options, customizable and simple to implement for all company sizes from SMEs to large corporations.
• MenuLounge Online B2B customer portal for menu selection and ordering, allowing business customers to manage their meal orders digitally.
• KundenCenter Online customer service center platform for B2B account management, complaint handling, and digital order forms.
• Ernährungsberatung Professional nutrition consultation services for menu planning, dietary requirements, allergies, and DGE quality standards compliance, supporting institutional customers and private consumers.
• Mimi-Box Exclusive limited-edition meal box featuring 8 curated HOFMANNs dishes, developed in collaboration with brand ambassador Michael 'Mimi' Kraus, sold direct-to-consumer through the Hofmanns online shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64% regional raw material sourcing — reduces supply chain risk and carbon footprint
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Umpfertalschule BoxbergminorOthers · 1 January 2025Community cleanup partnership. On World Clean Up Day (September 2025), HOFMANNs employees joined students from Umpfertalschule Boxberg and the town of Boxberg for a litter collection event around the city.
• Caritas Frankfurt (Bärenstraße)minorOthers · 1 January 2024Food donation partnership. HOFMANNs donates surplus frozen meals to the Caritas day shelter in Frankfurt, which serves approximately 250 meals daily to homeless people. Second donation received July 2024.
• Stuttgarter TafelminorOthers · 1 January 2023Food donation partnership. HOFMANNs donated 1,000 frozen soups to the Stuttgarter Tafel food bank in 2023 and again in 2024.
• Tommy Nicht Allein Deutschland e.V.minorOthers · 1 January 2023Health Care team donated to support children in long-term hospital care over Christmas 2023. The donation supported 'clinic nannies' at Universitätsmedizin Rostock who provide childcare during extended hospital stays. Gift boxes were distributed to children.
• Caritas Behindertenwerkstatt (Disability Workshop)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Partnership since 1994 with a Caritas-affiliated disability workshop for packaging and labeling work. The workshop handles gluing labels onto spice jars and packaging sets into outer cartons. This partnership reflects HOFMANNs' social responsibility and commitment to inclusion.
• ReFoodminorOthersFood waste disposal partner. ReFood handles the small amount of food waste produced, converting it into high-quality fertilizers and eco-friendly energy. This is part of HOFMANNs' commitment to near-zero food waste.
• Landeszuchtanstalt (State Pig Breeding Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing regional supply partnership. HOFMANNs sources more than 90% of its pork from the local state pig breeding institute, ensuring premium-quality, regionally raised meat. This is part of the 64%+ regional sourcing commitment.
• Taubermühle KuhncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecades-long partnership with a traditional flour mill from neighboring Markelsheim. The mill processes locally grown grain and uses water-generated energy for production. Supplies flour to HOFMANNs for pastry and baked goods.
• Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) HeilbronncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual study partnership. HOFMANNs works with DHBW Heilbronn on a dual study program in BWL Food Management, and with DHBW Mosbach for BWL Industrial Management. Additionally, joint sustainability project under the motto 'Together: Shaping the Future of Food' with DHBW student teams working on sustainability strategy development (modules: October 2023 and March 2024).
• Tommy Nicht Allein Deutschland e.V.minorOthersCharitable donation partnership. The Health Care team supports children in long-term hospital care through donations to the Tommy Nicht Allein Deutschland e.V. association. The team plans to support similar initiatives annually, rotating locations.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Sodexo Germany: Sodexo is a global food services and facilities management company with significant operations in Germany serving corporate, healthcare, and education clients. It overlaps with HOFMANs' institutional verticals but is broader in scope (vouchers, benefits, FM) and competes primarily on integrated facility-services contracts rather than frozen meal manufacturing specialization.
• Aramark Corporation: Aramark is a global food services provider operating in Germany and across Europe, serving hospitals, universities, and corporate clients. It is comparable to HOFMANs in target verticals and contract structures but is a broad multi-service incumbent rather than a frozen-meal manufacturing specialist.
• Dussmann Group (Dussmann Service): Dussmann is a major German facility services and catering group offering institutional catering across healthcare, education, and corporate segments. It competes with HOFMANs for the same institutional tenders but operates a broader portfolio (facility management, cleaning, technical services) rather than specializing exclusively in frozen prepared meals.
• Compass Group plc: Compass Group is one of the world's largest contract foodservice and support services companies, with significant DACH operations serving corporate, healthcare, and education clients. Comparable to HOFMANs in target customer base and contract model, but operates as a global broad-line incumbent rather than a regional frozen-meal specialist.

Direct peers

• Menüplan GmbH: Menüplan is a German institutional caterer offering frozen and fresh meal delivery to schools, kindergartens, and corporate clients. Direct peer in the German DACH institutional meal market with overlapping product offering and target verticals.
• Frosta AG: Frosta AG is a major German frozen food manufacturer known for its 'Frost' brand with a Reinheitsgebot-style purity commitment (no additives). Comparable to HOFMANs in frozen food manufacturing, German market focus, and clean-label positioning, though Frosta's primary channel is consumer retail rather than institutional catering.
• Apetito AG: Apetito AG is one of the largest direct competitors to HOFMANs in German and European frozen institutional meal manufacturing. Both companies serve hospitals, senior facilities, schools, and corporate catering with frozen prepared meals at scale, and both emphasize quality and nutrition standards. Apetito is larger (multi-country) but operates in the same product category with overlapping vertical coverage.
• Werner Gruppe (Werner Premium Catering): Werner Gruppe is a German institutional caterer with regional production facilities and own delivery operations, serving canteens, schools, and care facilities. Direct overlap with HOFMANs in institutional frozen meal manufacturing, business catering, and senior facility segments within the German market.
• Meyer Menü: Meyer Menü is a German frozen meal manufacturer and institutional caterer serving companies, schools, and senior facilities with cook-and-freeze style menus and an own delivery fleet. It is a direct regional competitor to HOFMANs in the German Betriebsverpflegung and social catering segments.

Emerging players

• Selecta Group (Selecta One): Selecta operates vending and unattended retail solutions across Europe, including workplace food and beverage vending. Comparable to HOFMANs To Go as a reference point for the smart workplace vending category, though Selecta's focus is broader (coffee, snacks) rather than exclusively frozen meals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hofmanns.manufaktur
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/hofmanns-manufaktur
• Instagraminstagram.com/hofmanns_shop
• Pinterestpinterest.de/HOFMANNs_shop/_created
• TikToktiktok.com/@hofmanns_shop

Compliance7 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 HOFMANNs