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Self-Service Restaurants in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Melanie Katz Melanie Katz Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: November 2024 WZ I56.12DE

Revenue

€7.1bn

2024

€7.1bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

109k

Businesses

2,823

Wages

€X.Xbn

Self-Service Restaurants in Germany industry analysis

In the last five years, the self-service restaurant sector has been characterised above all by increasing urbanisation, growing consumer health awareness and rising net household incomes. The coronavirus pandemic contributed to a significant slump in sales in 2020, causing industry turnover to fall by an average of 4.2% per year between 2019 and 2024. Thanks to the lifting of infection control measures, sales in self-service restaurants have been recovering since 2022. For the current year, turnover is expected to grow by 3% to €7.1 billion.In recent years, the market for traditional fast food chains has gradually become saturated, partly due to increasing health awareness. Instead, new market players specialising in healthier dishes and offering their customers an appealing ambience have shaped the industry's sales growth before and after the pandemic. This has been made possible in part by rising household net incomes, which have helped more consumers to afford the higher prices of these new industry players. As other catering sectors competing with this industry have also been able to benefit from rising household incomes, the competitive pressure on companies in this sector has increased. This in turn has prompted the leading fast food chains to expand their product range and offer vegetarian and vegan burgers as well as other meat-free dishes in addition to salads in order to cater more closely to current consumer trends. During the pandemic, restaurant operators who had their own apps, delivery services or drive-ins were at an advantage, as contactless ordering and payment of meals was made much easier and the pandemic-related decline in sales was somewhat mitigated as a result. < />By 2029, industry turnover is expected to grow by an average of 2.2% per year to 8 billion euros. In addition to the continuing recovery from the consequences of the coronavirus crisis, the further growth of new fast food concepts, which is also likely to be reflected in an increase in the number of establishments, is expected to be the main driver of sales growth in the sector.

Trends and Insights

  • The self-service restaurant sector is characterised by franchise models of large international corporations. Franchisees are generally only allowed to sell products that come from the franchisor itself or from certified suppliers.
  • Burgers are the top-selling product in the self-service restaurant sector. For the two market leaders McDonald's and Burger King, the sale of burgers is the main source of income.
  • The southern region has the largest proportion of establishments in this sector. Munich and Stuttgart offer great growth potential for special catering concepts in the upscale fast food sector.
  • Competition in the self-service restaurant sector is fierce The location is of great importance for a fast-food restaurant in competition within the sector.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €7.1bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The industry is characterised by self-service restaurant chains

  • The self-service restaurant sector is characterised by franchise models of large international groups. These often operate a certain proportion of the establishments themselves so that they can test new products, as well as measures relating to interior design or marketing.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Self-Service Restaurants in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Biggest companies in the Self-Service Restaurants in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
McDonald’s Deutschland LLC
1,412.0
Burger King Deutschland GmbH
289.6
Autobahn Tank & Rast Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG
223.7

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Self-Service Restaurants in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Burger, Salads and sandwiches and Pizza and pasta. Burger is the largest segment of the Self-Service Restaurants in Germany.

Trends and Insights

The variety of products in the burger segment has increased in recent years

  • The majority of sales in this sector are generated with burgers, which are considered classic fast food dishes. The sale of burgers is the main source of income for the two market leaders McDonald's and Burger King in particular.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The industry comprises the operation of self-service restaurants. It also includes self-service restaurants that are located in public transport such as long-distance trains and are operated by external service providers. However, vending machines and catering services on a licence basis, for example in sports stadiums, are not part of the industry.

What's included in this industry?

Operation of restaurants with self-serviceOperation of fast food restaurantsOperation of drive-in countersOperation of restaurants with self-service in public transport

Companies

McDonald’s Deutschland LLCBurger King Deutschland GmbHAutobahn Tank & Rast Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

FAST FOODSYSTEM CATERINGFAST CASUAL DININGFRANCHISE GIVERFRANCHISEE

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 56.10.2 - Self-Service Restaurants in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The self-service restaurant sector is characterised by franchise models of large international corporations. Franchisees are generally only allowed to sell products that come...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Burgers are the top-selling product in the self-service restaurant sector. For the two market leaders McDonald's and Burger King, the sale of burgers is the main source of in...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The southern region has the largest proportion of establishments in this sector. Munich and Stuttgart offer great growth potential for special catering concepts in the upscal...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competition in the self-service restaurant sector is fierce The location is of great importance for a fast-food restaurant in competition within the sector.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

McDonald's Germany LLC has the highest market share in the self-service restaurant industry. In recent years, McDonald's has invested a lot of money in remodelling its restau...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of McDonald’s Deutschland LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Burger King Deutschland GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Autobahn Tank & Rast Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for McDonald’s Deutschland LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Burger King Deutschland GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Autobahn Tank & Rast Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Increasing health awareness is having a negative impact on self-service restaurants. If consumers become more health-conscious, they will consume less food with a high fat, s...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The industry's profits have recently been subject to some fluctuations. While the pandemic-related closures had a negative impact on fast-food restaurants, the trend towards ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany is €7.1bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Self-Service Restaurants in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 2,823 businesses in the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 5.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 4.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Self-Service Restaurants market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Self-Service Restaurants market in Germany are McDonald’s Deutschland LLC, Burger King Deutschland GmbH and Autobahn Tank & Rast Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG

What does the Self-Service Restaurants in Germany include?

Operation of restaurants with self-service and Operation of fast food restaurants are part of the Self-Service Restaurants industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Self-Service Restaurants in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is McDonald’s Deutschland LLC.

How competitive is the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Self-Service Restaurants industry in Germany.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Full-Service Restaurants in Germany
  • Takeaway Restaurants in Germany
  • Food-Service Contractors in Germany
  • Bars & Nightclubs in Germany

Complementors

  • Fruit & Vegetable Wholesaling in Germany
  • Meat Wholesaling in Germany
  • Other Food Wholesaling in Germany
  • Grocery Wholesaling in Germany

International industries

  • Global Fast Food Restaurants
  • Fast Food Restaurants in the US
  • Fast Food Restaurants in Canada
  • Restaurants in Australia
  • Cafes and Restaurants in New Zealand

View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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