GastroHero

GastroHero operates as a business-to-business e-commerce platform specializing in professional catering and restaurant supplies. The company was founded in late 2013 by Mark Baukmann, Jens Schütte, and Andreas Korsus in Holzwickede, near Dortmund, Germany. The founders established the business with the vision of becoming a leading digital-first supplier in the gastronomy sector, setting themselves apart from competitors by conducting business exclusively online. Initially self-funded, the company programmed its first website in the living room of a founder's great-grandmother, a testament to its lean beginnings.

The firm's business model is centered on direct online sales to a professional clientele, including restaurants, cafes, and other catering businesses. It generates revenue by selling a wide array of products through its online portals, primarily GastroHero and Gastro24. The product portfolio is extensive, covering everything from small utensils like pots and pans to large kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, döner grills, and pizza ovens. GastroHero offers a comprehensive selection that includes its own branded products as well as items from various wholesalers and established brands, effectively positioning itself as a one-stop shop for the industry. The company has expanded its services to include complete kitchen planning and technical support, leveraging an international network of technicians for installation and maintenance.

GastroHero has demonstrated significant growth since its inception. By 2016, just three years after its founding, the company had grown to over 100 employees and was generating approximately €35 million in annual revenue. This rapid expansion was initially financed through the founders' own capital and company profits. To fuel further growth and international expansion, GastroHero secured its first external funding in late 2016, receiving a double-digit million-euro investment from the Hamburg-based private equity firm Genui. This strategic partnership also brought valuable expertise to the company's advisory board. Today, GastroHero serves over 400,000 customers across several European countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Belgium, with offices in Holzwickede, Hamm, and Dübendorf, Switzerland.

Keywords: professional catering equipment, restaurant supplies, B2B e-commerce, gastronomy supplier, kitchen appliances, food service equipment, online retail, kitchen planning services, restaurant technology, GastroHero, Mark Baukmann, Jens Schütte, Andreas Korsus, Genui, Holzwickede, commercial kitchen outfitter, online hospitality supplier, catering hardware, food preparation equipment, digital gastronomy trade