What zingerman's delicatessen does

Zingerman's Delicatessen is a specialty food retailer and delicatessen founded in March 1982 by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig in a historic 1902 building near the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in Michigan. The Deli operates as the flagship of Zingerman's Community of Businesses, a collection of 11+ independently-owned food and service businesses including the Bakehouse, Coffee Company, Roadhouse, Greyline, Miss Kim, ZingTrain, Cornman Farms, Candy Manufactory, Mail Order, and Press, collectively employing nearly 700 partners and staff. Core product lines are made-to-order deli sandwiches with premium ingredients (Black Angus corned beef and pastrami, free-range chicken, housemade chopped liver and chicken salad), a curated specialty grocery assortment (farmhouse cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, smoked fish, salami, locally-roasted coffee and tea), full-service catering for events from intimate gatherings to parties for thousands, and educational tastings and cooking classes.

The business model is hybrid direct-to-consumer across three Ann Arbor locations — the main Deli at 422 Detroit Street, Next Door Café at 418 Detroit Street, and the Greyline event venue at 100 N. Ashley Street — supplemented by Snackpass online ordering, an e-commerce grocery store, nationwide Mail Order shipping, phone ordering, and a 3-mile catering delivery radius. Pricing is unit-based and premium: signature Reuben and pastrami sandwiches run $18.50-$23.99, salads $10-$14.99, sides $2.99-$7.99, event tickets $15 (Small Bite Sessions) to $90 (Paella Party), and a flat $6.99 local delivery fee. The Deli also supports an unscheduled "Sandwich of the Month" rotation, a Butcher's Monthly subscription collaboration with Marrow Detroit, and annual themed events such as Fiesta de España. No AI or proprietary technology platform underpins the operation, and ordering runs on standard WordPress web infrastructure plus third-party Snackpass.

Customer mix is dominated by food enthusiasts, Ann Arbor locals, families (with a dedicated kids menu), and event planners seeking premium catering. The Deli serves over 500,000 visitors annually and is sustained by a strong brand profile validated by Inc. Magazine ("Coolest Small Company in America"), Food & Wine (Top 25 Food Markets in the World), USA Today, Travel + Leisure (26 American Food Icons), and James Beard Award finalist status for service. The property received Gold Level LEED Certification in 2012 for its second addition, and the business diverts nearly 700 tons of material to a composting program annually.

Name

zingerman's delicatessen

Legal name

Zingerman's Delicatessen

Website

https://zingermansdeli.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Zingerman's Delicatessen is a specialty food retailer and deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 1982, serving made-to-order sandwiches, specialty groceries, catering, and food classes to food enthusiasts, locals, families, and event customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Deli & Food Retail

NAICS

All Other Specialty Food Retailers (445298), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013)

akta.pro primary industry

Delis & Sandwich Specialty Stores (CRAHAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cold Prepared Foods & Meal Components (Sides, Proteins, Family Meals) (CRAHAKAC), Deli & prepared foods (retail/foodservice pack) manufacturing (AFAKAHAF)

Keywords

• Specialty deli sandwiches
• Artisan food retail
• Specialty grocery store
• Event catering services
• Cooking classes tastings

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sandwich Sales: Made-to-order deli sandwiches including corned beef, pastrami, turkey, chicken, beef, pork, fish, and vegetarian options. Premium Black Angus meats, free-range chicken, housemade ingredients.
2. Specialty Grocery Retail: Specialty foods including farmhouse cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, smoked fish, artisanal salami, locally roasted coffee, teas, and produce. Hand-selected, often exclusive items.
3. Catering & Events: Full-service catering bringing Zingerman's experience to customers' homes or events. Also hosts cooking classes and tasting events for additional revenue.
4. Gift Cards: Gift cards valid at all brick and mortar Zingerman's businesses, never expire, can be used for any products from corned beef to champagne.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zingerman's Delicatessen prepares and sells made-to-order deli sandwiches built on premium Black Angus corned beef, pastrami, free-range chicken, turkey and housemade spreads, alongside a curated retail grocery assortment of farmhouse cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, smoked fish, salami, locally roasted coffee and produce. The business also delivers full-service catering for events from intimate gatherings to large parties, operates the adjacent Next Door Café, and runs paid cooking classes and tastings.

Product overview

Zingerman's Delicatessen is a specialty food retailer and famous deli offering made-to-order sandwiches and an exceptional array of specialty foods. The core offerings include Zingerman's Delicatessen Sandwiches (premium deli sandwiches with Black Angus corned beef, pastrami, and housemade ingredients), Specialty Foods & Groceries (farmhouse cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, smoked fish, salami, and coffee), and Zingerman's Catering & Events. The deli is the flagship of the Zingerman's Community of Businesses, which also includes Zingerman's Bakehouse (artisan breads), Zingerman's Next Door Café (coffee and desserts), Zingerman's Mail Order (online shipping), and Zingerman's Greyline (event venue). Additional offerings include Gift Cards, Tastings and Events (cooking classes and food tastings), Butcher's Monthly (collaboration with Marrow Detroit), and Deli Merchandise. The business model emphasizes hand-selected, artisanal ingredients with direct sourcing relationships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zingerman's Deli Sandwiches Made-to-order deli sandwiches featuring premium Black Angus corned beef and pastrami, free-range chicken, turkey, housemade chopped liver and chicken salad, served on breads from Zingerman's Bakehouse. Sold by the unit to dine-in, takeout and delivery customers at the Ann Arbor deli.
• Specialty Foods & Groceries Retail assortment of farmhouse cheeses, olive oils, varietal vinegars, smoked fish, high-quality salami, locally roasted coffee, teas and locally sourced produce. Products are hand-selected and often exclusive to Zingerman's, sold in-store and via shop.zingermansdeli.com with local delivery.
• Zingerman's Catering & Events Full-service off-premise catering bringing Zingerman's deli food and hospitality to customer locations for events ranging from intimate gatherings to large parties of thousands, including pickup and delivery of prepared meals.
• Zingerman's Next Door Café Adjacent café serving coffees, teas, chocolates, pastries and desserts to walk-in customers daily from 7am-7pm, with online ordering available through Snackpass.
• Zingerman's Gift Cards Gift cards valid across all brick-and-mortar Zingerman's businesses, never expiring and redeemable for any product from sandwiches to champagne. Available in-store, by phone, or online for e-delivery.
• Tastings and Cooking Classes Paid guided tastings and hands-on cooking classes including mozzarella making, cheese and charcuterie sessions, wine pairings, paella parties and small bite sessions. Held at the Deli, Next Door Café and Zingerman's Greyline venue, priced from $15 for Small Bite Sessions to $90 for Paella Party Patio.
• Butcher's Monthly Monthly collaboration with Marrow Detroit Provisions offering specialty butcher items, available through subscription/signup via the deli's online shop.
• Zingerman's Deli Merchandise Branded apparel and merchandise including classic and retro designs, available for shipping anywhere in the US through a partnership with Underground Printing.
• Cherry Cacao Granola Signature collaborative granola made with ancient Ethiopian teff grain, Michigan maple syrup, dried Michigan cherries and Askinosie Chocolate cacao nibs. Co-developed with Teffola and sold in-store and online.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ annual visitors
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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.

• BelGioiosocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for mozzarella making events and classes. BelGioioso (founded 1979, family legacy from 1877) provides expertise and products for hands-on cheese making classes at the deli, taught by Deli Monger Connor Valone.
• The BrinerycoreOthersSupplier of housemade sauerkraut used in signature sandwiches like the Reuben. Local artisan producer of fermented vegetables.
• Fra' ManicoreOthersSupplier of smoked ham and mortadella for sandwiches including the Half-Italian Sub. Partnership featured in Patio Playlist with P.O.R.K. events.
• TeffolacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal collaboration with seventh-generation family farm in Addison, Michigan producing Cherry Cacao Granola using teff grain. Supports local agriculture and provides exclusive products.
• Askinosie ChocolateminorOthersSupplier of ground cacao nibs for Cherry Cacao Granola collaboration with Teffola.
• Food GathererscoreOthersMichigan's first food rescue program (established 1988) and sixth in the United States. Founded by Zingerman's Delicatessen. Serves Washtenaw County with mission to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes.
• Kerrytown DistrictminorOthersMember of Kerrytown District, the neighborhood in Ann Arbor where the deli is located near the Farmers Market.
• Fortune Fish & GourmetminorOthersPartner for Paella Party events, providing seafood ingredients for Spanish cuisine events.
• Forever CheeseminorOthersPartner for Paella Party events, providing cheese and specialty food items.
• D.O. Rueda Verdejo and D.O. Ribera del DuerominorOthersSpanish wine regions featured during Paella Party events with wine sampling stations.
• Zingerman's Community of BusinessescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollection of 11+ independently-owned food and service businesses including Bakehouse, Candy Manufactory, Coffee Company, Cornman Farms, Greyline, Mail Order, Roadhouse, Miss Kim, Little Kim, ZingTrain, and Press. Nearly 700 employees total.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Goldbelly: Online marketplace curating iconic American foods (sandwiches, deli items, regional specialties) for nationwide shipping; directly comparable to Zingerman's Mail Order as a national specialty food e-commerce channel.

Direct peers

• Dean & DeLuca: Iconic specialty food retailer offering premium cheeses, meats, pantry goods, and prepared foods with mail-order; comparable to Zingerman's as a curated luxury food market with strong consumer brand recognition.
• Russ & Daughters: NYC appetizing store/deli (est. 1914) famous for smoked fish, bagels, and specialty Jewish foods; comparable to Zingerman's as a multi-generational specialty food destination with mail-order and experiential tastings.
• Di Bruno Bros. Philadelphia specialty food market and cheesemonger (est. 1939) with deli, café, and national mail-order; comparable to Zingerman's in artisan cheese/specialty food retail plus catering and events.
• Katz's Delicatessen: Iconic NYC Jewish deli (est. 1888) famous for pastrami, Reuben, and counter-service sandwiches; directly comparable to Zingerman's as a destination delicatessen with mail-order and a cult brand built over decades.
• 2nd Ave Deli: NYC kosher-style Jewish deli known for pastrami, corned beef, and matzo ball soup; comparable to Zingerman's in menu, heritage positioning, and Jewish-deli category leadership.
• Mile End Delicatessen: Montreal-style Jewish deli with Brooklyn/NYC locations specializing in smoked meat, poutine, and bagels; directly comparable as a craft-focused deli with strong brand and national mail-order presence.
• Eataly: Italian marketplace concept combining sit-down restaurants, retail specialty foods, and grab-and-go counters; comparable to Zingerman's in offering an exceptional array of imported/artisan groceries alongside prepared foods.

Broad incumbents

• Wegmans Food Markets: Regional specialty grocer with acclaimed prepared foods, in-store dining, cheese, and deli; comparable to Zingerman's in elevating in-store prepared/specialty foods as a destination experience.
• Whole Foods Market: National specialty grocery chain (Amazon-owned) with extensive prepared foods, deli counters, and cheese/meat counters; overlaps with Zingerman's in premium grocery retail and grab-and-go prepared foods at much greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZingermansDeli
• Instagraminstagram.com/zingermansdeli
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zingermans-delicatessen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 zingerman's delicatessen