GERMANY/SWITZERLAND. Orior Group has acquired the final tranche of shares in fellow food & beverage business casualfood, which has a strong presence in German airports and train stations. It completes a transaction which was part of a strategic partnership agreement struck between the two companies in 2018.
Casualfood has 14 different catering and convenience store concepts in a wide-ranging portfolio, from high-quality fast food to an Italo-American deli concept.
As part of the process of its integration with the Swiss Orior Group, casualfood founders Stefan Weber and Michael Weigel will be withdrawing from the management of the company. They will, however, be part of a newly-established strategic advisory board which will guide the integrated business for the next few years alongside Orior CEO Daniel Lutz and CFO Andreas Lindner.
As of 1 January 2023, the management of casualfood will be handed over to Michael Schorm (previously a member of the Executive Board and Head of Food & Beverage at casualfood) and Andreas Förster (also previously a member of the Executive Board and Business Unit Manager for Convenience at casualfood). They will become joint Managing Directors, reporting to the management of the Orior Group.
The strategic advisory board, which also includes casualfood Head of Finance and Financial Controlling Patricia Esseln, will support the future development of the Smartseller concept, a joint venture with Gebr. Heinemann.
Casualfood Joint Managing Partner Stefan Weber said: “The transfer of individual tranches of shares and the overall takeover of casualfood has all gone smoothly and according to plan. We have had plenty of exciting years behind us since casualfood was founded in 2005, and we have worked together with our team to successfully steer our company through the challenges of the coronavirus crisis.”
He added: “As part of the structured process, we will be handing over the management of our company as of 1 January 2023 to our trusted successors, our long-term colleagues Michael Schorm and Andreas Förster, creating new scope for new business-related projects in addition to our activities on the advisory board.”
Casualfood Joint Managing Partner Michael Weigel said: “Casualfood’s strategy will remain the same, even after we hand over the management. This will ensure the stability of our company over the long term.
“From our positions on the strategic advisory board, we will work with our Orior colleagues on the board and contribute our many years of expertise to maintain the company’s successful growth trajectory, push ahead with our European expansion and build up our networks.”
Orior Group CEO Daniel Lutz said: “Staying true to the slogan ‘The taste of travelling’, Stefan Weber and Michael Weigel have turned a small, mobile pretzel stand into a big name in the travel catering industry. The clever, award-winning business model has been, and will remain, part of the recipe for its success.
“The two founders have my deepest respect for this. But only by working with them so closely was I able to understand what makes these two people so special. It is their tireless inspiration, pioneering spirit, hands-on mentality, toughness, a good dose of confidence and a strong team that shares precisely these values.
“In Michael Schorm and Andreas Förster we have two real insiders at casualfood to help maintain the company’s success story. I’m delighted about that and wish the two new managers all the very best.”
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