History

• 1894

  Ladies bazaar in historic guild house «Zum Schneggen»

  On 19 and 20 June 1894, Susanna Orelli and other dedicated ladies from Zurich society were allowed to organise a «coffee hall bazaar» in the male-dominated guild house Gesellschaftshaus der Schildner zum Schneggen at Limmatquai 64 in Zurich. Princely proceeds of CHF 17,184.60 (the equivalent of approximately CHF 180,000.00 today) formed the cornerstone for the setting up of alcohol-free coffee houses and thus for the establishment of ZFV.

  

• 1894

  Establishment of the «Frauenverein für Mässigkeit und Volkswohl» (Women’s Association for Temperance and National Welfare)

  ZFV was founded on 27 September 1894 as the «Frauenverein für Mässigkeit und Volkswohl» (Women’s Association for Temperance and National Welfare). The first president was Nanny Huber-Werdmüller (1844 – 1911), with the driving force and first business director being Susanna Orelli-Rinderknecht (1845 – 1939). Before the backdrop of the immeasurable hardship into which excessive alcohol consumption had thrown numerous families, the time was ripe to provide an alternative to the many inns and drinking dens in the form of alcohol-free coffee houses. Besides countering alcoholism, the visionary founders regarded the following additional objectives as being of particular importance: The betterment of women in the hospitality professions and improvement of national welfare as a whole.

  

• 1894

  Launch of coffee parlour Kaffeestube zum Kleinen Marthahof

  The first coffee parlour zum Kleinen Marthahof was opened in December of the year of establishment in Stadelhoferstrasse in Zurich. The demand for non-alcoholic catering facilities was great from the first day onwards. The manager at the time was not able to cope with the immense response. Susanna Orelli courageously stood in, taking over in the kitchen and at the till on a temporary basis. This spontaneous and uncomplicated willingness to help was characteristic of Susanna Orelli as a dynamic business woman. A surplus of CHF 2.75 was generated in the first month. The legal form of cooperative business society, to which ZFV remains committed today, proved to be a blessing from the outset.

  

• 1895

  New outlets opened in quick succession

  Motivated by the success of the coffee parlour zum Kleinen Marthahof, further alcohol-free outlets were opened in quick succession: Rose and Frohsinn in 1895, Sonnenblick in 1896, Karl der Grosse and Lindenbaum in 1898, Blauer Seidenhof in 1902 and Olivenbaum in 1904.

  

• 1897

  Rütli – the first hotel

  When it took over Hotel Rütli at the entrance to Zurich’s Niederdorf district, ZFV started out in the hotel business just a few years after its establishment.

   

  

• 1900

  Realisation of a visionary idea on the Zurichberg mountain

  The building of Hotel Zurichberg as an alcohol-free people's spa facility represented a dream come true for Susanna Orelli: that of offering to all sections of the population the possibility of enjoying holidays or indulging in coffee and cake in a privileged position high above the city. Thanks to considerable negotiation skills, she was able to persuade the city council of Zurich to sell, to the still young company, a piece of real estate almost 27,000 m² in area on the Zurichberg mountain to realise the company’s visionary idea. The land and building costs totalling CHF 500,000 were financed by means of issuing a 3 % public bond of CHF 330,000, representing an extremely innovative idea in those days. The hotel opened on 1 November 1900, after a 15-month construction period. The introduction of self-service in the restaurant represented the creation of Zurich’s first self-service restaurant. An overnight stay in the new hotel cost CHF 1.50, with full board CHF 3.00.

  

• 1905

  Presidency passes from Nanny Huber-Werdmüller to Marie Finsler

  Nanny Huber-Werdmüller (1844 – 1911) was forced to concede the presidency to Vice-President Marie Finsler (1865 – 1929) for health reasons.

  

• 1908

  Way ahead of her time

  Susanna Orelli was way ahead of her time, not only in terms of her catering services. She also set standards in terms of human resources policy. Already in those days, she regarded the employees as the company’s greatest asset. Her objective was «to provide decent work on decent terms and conditions for decent girls and women». The employees received the following benefits right from the start:

  • Fixed monthly salary instead of tips
  • 10-hour day
  • 1 free day per month plus half a free day per week
  • Leave of up to 4 weeks once or twice a year
  • Sickness and accident insurance paid by the employer
  • Old age provision long before AHV old-age insurance was introduced in 1948

  In 1908, Susanna Orelli also established the school for catering manageresses. This training of responsibility-bearing employees was intended to provide staff for the company’s own outlets. But the objective was also to improve professional possibilities for women in the hospitality industry.

  

• 1910

  First name change

  The «Frauenverein für Mässigkeit und Volkswohl» (Women’s Association for Temperance and National Welfare) was renamed as the «Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften» (Zurich Women’s Association for Alcohol-Free Public Houses).

  

• 1910

  Takeover of the Volkshaus am Helvetiaplatz

  After several years of preparation, the alcohol-free Volkshaus am Helvetiaplatz was opened in 1910. This takeover was preceded by a bitter and lengthy discussion on the subject of alcohol. With her arguments, Susanna Orelli was finally able to assert herself against the workers’ movement which had obstinately insisted on serving alcoholic drinks. The enterprise remained part of ZFV for seventy years.

  

• 1914

  Entry into the institutional catering market

  In 1914, ZFV started out in institutional catering and took over the canteen in the recently constructed college building of the University of Zurich. The catering operation, which currently consists of three canteens, seven cafeterias and the uniTurm restaurant is still operated by ZFV.

  

• 1919

  Award of honorary doctorate to Susanna Orelli

  On 21 May 1919, the Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich awarded an honorary doctorate to Susanna Orelli. She was the first woman to receive this honour. In the same year, Susanna Orelli, who was now 74 years old, gave up all her tasks at ZFV.

  

• 1919

  The Hirzel era

  Marie Hirzel (1881 – 1969) had been a volunteer with the «alcohol-frees» since she was young. In 1907 she took on a permanent position. After taking on the chairmanship of the operations commission in 1915, she succeeded Susanna Orelli in 1919, becoming corporate president at the same time. For 37 years, Marie Hirzel managed the legacy of Susanna Orelli as president as well as acting as chairman of the executive board. She conscientiously pursued the motto of Susanna Orelli: «We need a healthy accountancy division to ensure that our enterprise succeeds.» During the Hirzel era, ZFV encountered economically and politically difficult times (global economic crisis in 1929 and Second World War 1939 – 1945), developing sharper contours as a result and becoming a stable part of Zurich’s economy.

  

• 1928

  Operation of festive-event catering at SAFFA

  ZFV was an essential presence at SAFFA (Swiss Exhibition of Women’s Work) in Bern. Between 2,000 and 3,000 meals were served there each day.

  

• 1939

  Operation of festive-event catering at the LANDI site

  After 1914, ZFV managed the festive-event catering at the LANDI site for the second time in 1939. Well over 1.3 million visitors were catered for over a period of four months.

  

• 1956

  «Threesome» at the company’s helm

  Doris Bänziger was elected president at the cooperative meeting on 23 November 1956. Ruth Karrer became quaestor. Together with Gertrud Fleckenstein, a further member of the Board of Directors, they assumed control of both the strategic and operative management of ZFV. A stagnation phase followed until the middle of the seventies. Several enterprises were closed down and sold off. It was only in institutional catering that progress was made, with the creation of self-service buffets in universities, secondary and vocational schools. In 1969 Doris Bänziger retired as president. The «three-member executive board» was discontinued at the same time. While there was an interregnum in the presidency from 1969 to 1971, Gertrud Fleckenstein held the post of delegate of the Board of Directors until 1975.

• 1971

  Adelheid Fischer – president during difficult times

  Before Adelheid Fischer became president, she served as a lawyer for ZFV for almost 30 years. She knew the company and the philosophy behind it like no other. During her eight-year term of office, she succeeded, together with her designated successor Rosmarie Michel, in restructuring the company and laying the groundwork for a positive future. She went down in the history of ZFV as an important transitional president.

  

• 1972

  Relocation of central administration to Mühlebachstrasse 86

  The former residence of the first president, Nanny Huber-Werdmüller, had for decades served as a staff house for the employees of the restaurant Olivenbaum. It was converted for central administration use in 1972. It remained the head office of ZFV until 2009.

  

• 1973

  Commissioning of the central bakery in Dübendorf

  In 1973, ZFV opened its own central bakery in Dübendorf. It had to be closed again in 1992 due to returns being too low.

  

• 1975

  The advent of men

  At a turbulent annual general meeting in 1975, the decision was taken to include men in the Board of Directors and the executive board of ZFV. However, the presidency continued to remain the preserve of women. After the resignation of Gertrud Fleckenstein, Eric Kündig was elected as chairman of the executive board. Thanks to his thriftiness and simultaneous awareness of quality, his rehabilitation efforts bore rapid fruit, and it proved possible to stabilise the company.

  

• 1979

  Spirit of optimism with Rosmarie Michel

  Rosmarie Michel was elected to the Board of Directors of ZFV in 1970. As an entrepreneur, she supported Adelheid Fischer in regard to all issues concerning the company and its properties. When Adelheid Fischer was forced to give up the presidency in 1979 for health reasons, Rosmarie Michel became her successor. During her term of office, the Volkshaus and Rigiblick had to be relinquished, as alcohol was scheduled to be introduced in these businesses. On the other hand, various building projects were initiated, including total refurbishment of Olivenbaum and renovation of Zurichberg. With the aid of a new mission statement drawn up in the mid eighties, the company was also freed from the ballast which had accumulated over the decades.

  

• 1989

  Nomination of Rosmarie Michel as permanent guest of honour of the University of Zurich

  On 29 April 1989, Rosmarie Michel was nominated permanent guest of honour of the University of Zurich

• 1990

  Entry into the staff catering market

  With the opening of the Orbit restaurant in Zurich-Oerlikon on behalf of Credit Suisse and of the Key West restaurant in Zurich-Altstetten on behalf of the Swiss Banking Association, ZFV entered the field of staff catering. This laid the cornerstone for an important new business division.

  

• 1990

  Second name change

  The second name change followed almost 100 years after the foundation of the cooperative business society. The «Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften» (Zurich Women’s Association of Alcohol-Free Public Houses) was renamed «ZFV-Unternehmungen».

• 1993

  Dr. Sigrid Viehweg becomes new chairman of the executive board

  On 1 January 1993, Eric Kündig was replaced as chairman of the executive board by food chemist Dr. Sigrid Viehweg. As a result, after 17 years the executive board was once again in women's hands.

  

• 1994

  Hundredth anniversary celebrations

  One hundred years after its foundation, ZFV had 41 operations at its disposal and employed a total of 498 people. With total net sales of CHF 48.0 million, corporate earnings before interest, taxes, amortization and depreciation (EBITDA) of CHF 2.5 million were generated. The recorded annual profit amounted to CHF 100,000. The 100th anniversary was celebrated in style. The book «Weibliches Unternehmertum» (Female entrepreneurship) by Dr. Monique Siegel represents an impressive report on the first one hundred years of ZFV. Hotel Zurichberg was also restored to its former glory in good time for the anniversary.

• 1995

  Dr. Regula Pfister achieves the turnaround

  As a result of renovating and extending Hotel Zurichberg and totally refurbishing the Olivenbaum property, ZFV had overextended itself. It was necessary to take rapid action. A three-member organisation committee consisting of Dr. Hugo von der Crone, Peter H. Müller and Dr. Regula Pfister was therefore established by the Board of Directors. In the middle of 1995, Dr. Regula Pfister succeeded Dr. Sigrid Viehweg as chairman of the executive board. The focus was on stemming the cash drain, stabilising the company, and repositioning it. Thanks to a rigorous programme of savings, combined with wide-ranging personnel changes, Dr. Regula Pfister succeeded in achieving the turnaround within eighteen months.

  

• 1997

  Starting to extend and expand

  When the Swiss Banking Association advertised for bids for its staff catering in 1997, ZFV succeeded in achieving its first great coup after the crisis. Besides the Key West staff restaurant, the Opfikon and Guggach operations also went to the historic Zurich-based company. In the same year, ZFV purchased the St. Peter restaurant from the Swiss Banking Association and managed it at its own risk from then on. This entrepreneurial business model represented new territory in the field of collective catering.

  

• 1998

  Award of Social and Cultural prize

  In 1998, ZFV for the first time awarded the Social and Cultural Prize worth CHF 100,000 to institutions, establishments or projects in social and cultural fields. The prize has since then been awarded ten times. In 2008, the value of the award was raised to CHF 400,000.

  

• 1999

  Acquisition of Florida AG

  The acquisition of Florida AG represented a milestone for the hotel division of ZFV. The hotel in Zurich’s Seefeld district was completely gutted, redesigned and reopened as Hotel Seefeld in March 2001.

  

• 2000

  Stepping over the cantonal border

  With the exception of the two digressions to LANDI in 1914 and SAFFA in Bern in 1928, the radius of activity had previously been limited to Zurich and the surrounding area. In 2000, the UBS AG company commissioned the company to manage a further six restaurants – two each in Bern and Basel and one each in St. Gallen and Zurich. Thus, the groundwork was laid for expansion of business activity to the whole of German-speaking Switzerland.

  

• 2001

  Change of presidency from Rosmarie Michel to Dr. Regula Pfister

  After 31 years of membership of the Board of Directors, during which time she held office as president for 22 years, Rosmarie Michel passed the baton to Dr. Regula Pfister at the Annual General Meeting held on 15 May 2001. This again saw the beginning of a period during which chairmanship of executive board and the presidency were in the hands of the same person.

• 2001

  Lifting of the strict alcohol ban

  The change in the articles of association lifting the strict alcohol ban was preceded by years of intensive discussion between the cooperative business society members, the Board of Directors and the executive board. The main driver behind the commitment of the founders of ZFV had been the combating of alcoholism. The aim was to protect the company’s roots without endangering the further development of ZFV. In 2001, the members of the cooperative business society accepted the change in the articles of association with «Regulations for dealing with alcohol». Three different categories of operation were formed in the process:

  • A  Alcohol-free operations
  • B Operations serving exclusively wine and beer
  • C Operations serving spirits as well as wine and beer

• 2002

  Launch of the «Sorell Hotels Switzerland» brand

  To provide momentum to the expansion strategy in the hotels field, the «Sorell Hotels Switzerland» brand was created. The name is reminiscent of the company founder and business pioneer Susanna Orelli.

  

• 2002

  Rigiblick – from day-trippers’ restaurant to gourmet restaurant

  In 2002, ZFV was able to buy back from the City of Zurich Rigiblick after the latter had to be sold in 1975 as the result of economic difficulties. The simple day-trippers’ restaurant was completely refurbished. Seven extensive apartments designed for longer stays were created in the upper part of the building. Two restaurants were constructed in the lower part: Spice and Quadrino. Together with host couple Felix and Lucia Eppisser, it proved possible to make the Spice fine dining restaurant one of the leading gourmet venues in the City of Zurich within a short time.

  

• 2004

  Net sales of 100 million francs

  After 110 years, ZFV for the first time exceeded the net sales threshold of CHF 100 million. At the same time, the number of staff passed the thousand mark with a total of 1,012 employees.

• 2004

  Launch of the Mishio concept

  In 2004, the first Mishio was opened in Sorell Hotel Seidenhof. Mishio stands for fast, fresh and healthy Asian canteen food. In 2005, the concept was selected for the «Best of Swiss Gastro Award» under the «Newcomer» category. Two further Mishios have since been opened, in Zurich and Bern.

  

• 2005

  Opening of a catering facility in the Paul Klee centre in Bern

  In June 2005 a catering facility was opened in the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern. The facility includes the museum's cafeteria and the elegant restaurant Schöngrün. The latter was awarded 15 Gault Millau points during its first year under the management of Werner Rothen. Today Restaurant Schöngrün boasts 17 Gault Millau points and one Michelin star.

  

• 2006

  Acquisition of Kleiner and Schurter

  ZFV launched a bakery and confectionery line for the second time in its history with the acquisition of Confiserie Schurter AG at Central in Zurich and of Kleiner Konditorei-Bäckerei AG with a production site in Zurich-Altstetten and several shops in the Zurich region.

  

• 2006

  Takeover of catering operations at the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz

  As of 1 July 2006, ZFV took over the catering operations at Verkehrshaus der Schweiz in Lucerne. The company played a crucial role in setting up the Mercato self-service restaurant and Restaurants Piccard in the new «Futurecom» building constructed on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Verkehrshaus.

  

• 2007

  Entry into the stadium catering market

  ZFV took over the catering operations at the Letzigrund Stadium  in Zurich in September 2007. The facilities include the public Restaurant Oval, ten box seats and 18 external stands.

  

• 2008

  Launch of the «Bewusst geniessen!» (savouring with all your senses) brand

  Together with a dietician, ZFV developed the concept of «Bewusst geniessen» for its institutional catering operations. The brand features a type of nutrition compass for guests indicating which dishes are particularly well balanced, which are suitable to cover increased energy requirements, and which should only be enjoyed on an occasional basis.

• 2008

  Takeover of catering operations at the Bundeshaus (Swiss parliament)

  The Galerie des Alpes restaurant in the converted parliament building in Bern was opened for the beginning of session at the end of November 2008. A year earlier, ZFV had already started to operate the cafeteria, thus continuing the course of expansion in the Bern region.

  

• 2009

  Relocation to Flüelastrasse

  Since the headquarters at Mühlebachstrasse 86 in Zurich had for some time been bursting at the seams, relocation to the property at Flüelastrasse 51 in Zurich-Albisrieden took place in March 2009.

  

• 2009

  Two seminal acquisitions

  Due to its innovative powers, ZFV was entrusted – without a submission process – with the Cloud restaurant in the Gehry building on the Novartis Campus in Basel. Acquisition of the entire catering operations at the University of Bern enabled the education division to be greatly expanded in the same year.

• 2010

  Entry into the trade fair catering market

  In 2010, ZFV took over the entire catering operations at the new exhibition centre of BERNEXPO in Bern. After the opening of the main operation Henris Restaurant & Lounge four catering outlets followed in 2011: Bar & Café Intermezzo, Ess-Oase Mercato, Brasserie Bernoise and Restaurant Festhalle.

  

• 2011

  Henris Catering & Events is born

  Since November 2011, ZFV-Catering trades under a distinctive name: Henris Catering & Events. With a branch in Zurich and one in Bern, the aim is to conquer the competitive catering market.

• 2011

  ZFV lifts off

  At the beginning of May 2011, ZFV took over Inflight Catering at  Bern-Belp airport and is thus now indulging flight passengers for the first time.

  

• 2011

  Awards in the form of points and stars for ZFV

  The three gourmet restaurants operated by ZFV – Schöngrün in the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, Pearl at Sorell Hotel Krone in Winterthur and Spice at Rigiblick in Zurich – have been awarded a total of 49 Gault Millau points and 2 Michelin stars. This represents the best result in the history of ZFV.

  

• 2012

  Net sales threshold of 200 million francs exceeded

  It had taken 110 years to reach the net sales threshold of CHF 100 million. It took only eight years to generate the next CHF 100 million of net sales. The EBITDA amounted to CHF 24.8 million, the cash flow to CHF 28.2 million.

• 2012

  Expansion of Sorell Hotels Switzerland

  With the purchase of four Zurich hotels – Hotel Aarauerhof in Aarau and hotels Rex in Zurich, Arte in Spreitenbach and Sonnental in Dübendorf – Sorell Hotels Switzerland saw substantial expansion to currently 17 hotels with almost 900 rooms.

  

• 2013

  Dr. Regula Pfister hands the baton to Andreas Hunziker

  On 3 January 2013, Dr. Regula Pfister conceded her office as CEO to Andreas Hunziker after over 17 years. After the turnaround she had succeeded in following on from the pioneering phase of Susanna Orelli and lending entrepreneurial momentum to ZFV. Since taking over the helm of the company in 1995, she more than quadrupled net sales and the number of employees. Her concern was always to increase net sales and operating result – if possible in parallel. She succeeded in doing this as the result of consistent diversification in the hotel, catering and bakery-confectionery divisions. The number of catering outlets increased to over 140. As president of the Board of Directors, she still helps shape ZFV.

  

• 2013

  Nomination of Dr. Regula Pfister as permanent guest of honour of the University of Zurich

  On 26 April 2013, Dr. Regula Pfister was nominated permanent guest of honour of the University of Zurich.

• 2013

  Setting up of United Against Waste

  Together with other companies operating in the food service market, ZFV founded the United Against Waste association. The association campaigns against food wastage and intends to reduce it by half by 2020.

• 2014

  100th anniversary of ZFV at the University of Zurich

  ZFV has provided catering at the University of Zurich since 1914. Under the motto of "mensa unplugged", the 100th anniversary was celebrated throughout the year with various special campaigns.

• 2015

  Sorell Hotels relaunch

  The relaunch of Sorell Hotels gets off to a good start with a new brand image for Sorell Hotels, including the website, the introduction of "Service Excellence Sorell" and the new, regional Sorell breakfast.

• 2015

  Rämi 59

  On 17 August 2015, the first completely vegetarian and vegan mensa in Switzerland was opened at the University of Zurich. The range is aimed at all those people who would like to eat meat-free, healthy food and it complements the traditional range on offer at the Mensa UZH Zentrum.

• 2015

  Lilly Jo

  On Pfingstweidstrasse in Zurich, ZFV opened the Lilly Jo – Deli & Café, a public restaurant in the vibrant district of Zurich-West. The issues of preservation of resources and sustainability play a major role in the catering concept of the company.

  

• 2015

  Expansion of proven collaboration

  With three new UBS restaurants, ZFV was able to further expand its business activities in French-speaking Switzerland and strengthen its collaboration with UBS. With the takeover of these businesses, the number of companies managed by ZFV in western Switzerland rose to five.

• 2016

  Launch of the campaign "Aus Freude am Genuss"

  With the initiative "Aus Freude am Genuss", ZFV meets the needs of guests regarding health, transparency and sustainability and makes its decades of commitment in these areas transparent and tangible.

  

• 2016

  Culinary flagship

  Above the roofs of the city on the ETH Hönggerberg campus, ZFV opened a new restaurant that is open to the public. It is the company's first operation on behalf of ETH.

  

• 2017

  Milestone

  In one fell swoop at the start of the year, ZFV took over 23 existing SBB staff restaurants throughout Switzerland. This growth represents an important milestone in ZFV history. This takeover was followed by the first operations in the Ticino, ensuring that the company is represented in all parts of Switzerland.

• 2017

  Purchase of Hotel Speer

  At the beginning of the year, Sorell Hotels acquires the Hotel Speer in Rapperswil from its owner family. Thanks to its exceptional location and architecture, the hotel fits into the Group's existing portfolio and strategy.

• 2017

  Krone renovations

  From the beginning of January until May 2017, all 39 rooms at the Hotel Krone were extensively renovated. The focus was on two important factors – the fulfilment of the historic preservation order and the optimisation of the cosiness of the rooms. The well-being of guests is taken care of in the new rooms thanks to the high quality of sleep, a special showering experience with rain showers and the unique air conditioning in the rooms.

  

• 2018

  Opening of the Zum Äusseren Stand restaurant

  Since April of the reporting year, the Zum Äusseren Stand restaurant has been part of the ZFV Group. In addition to the restaurant, the premises include the magnificent Empire Hall and a courtyard cafe. As host and head chef, the celebrity chef Werner Rothen and his team are in charge.

  

• 2018

  Opening of FHNW Catering

  ZFV opened the "CUBE", the "CUBE" Lounge and the cafeteria at the FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland in Muttenz. These restaurants provide catering to students and staff, and are also open to the public.

• 2018

  Purchase of Hotel Merian

  On 1 October 2018, ZFV purchased the traditional Hotel Merian in Basel from the Christoph Merian Foundation. As a result, the Sorell Group now comprises 18 hotels and, with its presence in Basel, was able to expand its brand awareness.

  

• 2019

  125 years of ZFV

  In 2019, ZFV celebrated its 125th anniversary under the motto "125 years of pioneering spirit". With numerous anniversary activities, the company thanked its staff, guests, clients and partners.
   

  

• 2019

  Handing over the baton of President of the Board of Directors

  At the General Meeting of the ZFV Group on 21st May 2019, Dr Regula Pfister handed over the presidency of the Board of Directors to Nadja Lang. This signals the end of an era. Dr Pfister was on the Board of Directors for 33 years, serving as President for 18 of those. She also managed ZFV as CEO between 1995 and 2012. The new President of the Board of Directors, Nadja Lang, is on the board of various companies and was previously the CEO for Switzerland of Max Havelaar.

• 2019

  Platte 14

  On 2 September 2019, after a short redesign phase, the cafeteria on Plattenstrasse 14 reopened. Among other aspects, the new concept offers vegan food options in order to cope with the growing demands of students. Furthermore, only reusable containers are used with all takeaway products. ZFV has hosted at the University of Zurich for over 100 years and runs a total of 15 outlets.

  

• 2019

  ABB Restaurant Power Inn

  Following a renovation phase, the ABB Restaurant Power Inn in Baden opened its doors once again on 30 September 2019. The revised range of food and drink, as well as additional services meet the needs of guests in line with greater flexibility in the working day. However, its multifunctional use outside of the lunchtime service is another reason why this staff restaurant is considered a model operation within ABB.

• 2019

  SAVE FOOD, FIGHT WASTE

  Sustainability has been an integral part of ZFV company values since the company was founded. This also includes the avoidance of food waste. As thousands of guests are catered for in the many outlets every day, the company carries a huge responsibility. As a founding member of the group «United Against Waste», ZFV is thus actively committed to reducing food waste. Recently, the company has also become a partner of the «SAVE FOOD, FIGHT WASTE.» initiative of the Pusch Foundation. The organisation clarifies the problem of food waste for consumers and provides tips and knowledge on how to avoid food waste.

  

• 2020

  A great job

  In January, ZFV launched the employer branding campaign «a great job» to position the company as an attractive employer and increase recognition. In the campaign, employees explain what they personally like about their job at ZFV and why they have «a great job». The authentic portraits mean applicants can get to know their future colleagues and gain an insight into working at ZFV.

• 2020

  Opening of Sorell Hotel St. Peter

  The Sorell Hotel St. Peter in the centre of Zurich opened in mid-June. Designed by Zurich architects Andrin Schweizer, the boutique hotel offers an urbane retreat to both those enjoying a short beak as well as long-term guests.

  

• 2020

  Opening of Sorell Hotel City Weissenstein

  The Sorell Hotel City Weissenstein close to St. Gallen's Old Town opened its doors in July. The newly converted boutique hotel will be managed by Sorell Hotels under an operating agreement for the first time. The building is an homage to the historic textile city of St. Gallen. The individually furnished rooms contain fabrics by Jakob Schlaepfer and Christian Fischbacher, two famous St. Gallen textile manufacturers.

  

• 2020

  Transparency on the plate

  Since August 2020, ZFV has been setting new standards in menu transparency in the majority of contract catering operations with the Menu Sustainability Index (MSI). The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) developed the MSI together with ZFV as the implementation partner. The scientifically based tool rates meals on the basis of nutritional balance and environmental friendliness. Two corresponding symbols on the menu enable guests to choose an environmentally friendly and/or balanced menu.

• 2020

  Launch of SERI and Kleiner Shop

  In September, the Kleiner Bäckerei bakery and SERI bakery opened a shop in the southern section of Zurich's main railway station.Designed with appealing simplicity in industrial chic style, customers will be offered high-quality products from the two bakeries in the «SERI & Kleiner» shop: fresh sandwiches, salads, bakery goods, bread and Zurich specialities.

  

• 2020

  New brasserie in the Swiss Museum of Transport

  In December, the «Brasserie» introduced a new gastronomic concept to the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne. The waiter-service restaurant replaces the «Piccard» with an approachable concept and is enlarged by the café bar outside and the lakeside terrace. Guests can expect simple, honest cuisine throughout the day.

  

• 2021

  Additions to the Managing Board

  As part of organisational development and implementation of the new corporate strategy, ZFV's Board of Directors has decided to supplement the Managing Board. As of 1 May 2021, Dario Notaro took up a position as CBDO on the Managing Board of ZFV. He has been leading a strategic innovation initiative at ZFV since October 2020. Gabriela Dal Santo joined ZFV as CMO as of 1 June 2021.

• 2021

  New CEO Nadja Lang

  In mid-April, ZFV came to terms with the retirement of long-term CEO Andreas Hunziker. During the search to find his successor, the Board of Directors decided that Nadja Lang, acting Chair of ZFV's Board of Directors, should be appointed as the new CEO. Nadja Lang assumed full operational responsibility for ZFV as of the end of June.

  

• 2021

  Active crisis management and shaping the future

  ZFV, like the hospitality and hotel industry as a whole, was hit by the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. ZFV responded with clearly focused crisis management and with implementation of strategic initiatives and innovative projects. It is now a question of navigating a path through the post-pandemic «new normal», during which ZFV will continue to be confronted with a change in living and working habits.

• 2021

  Entry into the childcare and children's catering sector

  The ZFV entreprises took over KIMI Krippen AG and TACADIS AG at the end of August 2021. With the takeover of the two companies, ZFV is entering the childcare and children's catering sector, which has numerous points of contact with the existing catering and accommodation business areas. This step into the growth market of childcare strengthens ZFV. Exciting development opportunities are opening up, as topics such as living, working, catering and childcare are moving ever closer together in the future.

• 2022

  Reopening of Hotel Seidenhof and Restaurant Enja

  The boutique hotel Seidenhof reopens at the beginning of March 2022 after several months of renovation as a lively meeting place in the heart of the city of Zurich. The adjacent restaurant Enja celebrates innovative cooking on an open fire. 

  

• 2022

  Esther von Ziegler, new Chairwoman of the Board of Directors

  In May 2022, the general assembly elected Esther von Ziegler as the new president of the board of directors of the ZFV-Unternehmungen cooperative. The independent entrepreneur as well as co-owner and board member of azinova group AG has been a member of the ZFV Board of Directors since 2015 and has broad and in-depth know-how, including expertise in the areas of gastronomy, the hotel industry as well as real estate and corporate development. She takes over the position from Nadja Lang, who has been Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2019 and has also held operational responsibility for ZFV as CEO since June 2021.