Food and Beverage Sector Investment News

• Costa Coffee Strengthens German Presence
• Dodo Pizza Opens In Munich
• Fever-Tree Acquires German Distributor
• Bitburger Sells Wernesgrüner to Carlsberg

Costa Coffee Strengthens German Presence

Europe’s most widely established coffee shop chain, Costa Coffee, has strengthened its German presence. The internationally successful coffee brand plans to become a major out-of-house market player, with initial expansion beginning in Berlin and Cologne. Innovative “smart café” vending machines capable of preparing up to 250 different coffee drinks will be installed in the two cities. Up to 100 sales points across Germany are planned by the end of the year.

Dodo Pizza Opens In Munich

The Russian dodo Pizza franchise chain opened its first German restaurant in Munich in September. The Russian start-up has entered into a cooperation partnership with Uno Pizza from Halle, which will see the 14 Uno Pizza sites rebranded under the Dodo Pizza name. Currently active in 13 countries with 653 franchise stores, Dodo Pizza boasts its own proprietary platform that connects its network of stores for better customer experience.

Fever-Tree Acquires German Distributor

Tonic and mixer supplier Fever-Tree has bought its Germany distributor, Global Drinks Partnership, as part of its German market expansion plans. The EUR 2.6 million cash deal also includes a EUR 5 million balance previously owed to Fever-Tree. The company has noted an upsurge in international off-trade sales as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

Bitburger Sells Wernesgrüner to Carlsberg

The Bitburger Brewery Group has sold the Wernesgrüner Brewery to Carlsberg. Part of the Bitburger Brewery Groups since 2002, the brewery and Wernesgrüner beer brand will be taken over by the Danish brewing giants on January 1, 2021.