Our unique history gives us a commitment to the future. Our attitudes and decisions are shaped by social responsibility, careful use of resources and sustainable profitability. Founded in 1914 by Else Züblin-Spiller as the non-profit soldiers’ welfare organization “Schweizer Verband Soldatenwohl”, the original aim was to provide Swiss soldiers with inexpensive, balanced food without alcohol. This led to the development of a leading, dynamic company where hospitality and dedication, a pioneering spirit and innovativeness are the foundations.
Scroll to the right to read the history of the SV Group in chronological order.
Founding of the “Schweizer Verband Soldatenwohl”, a non-profit organization for soldiers’ welfare, by Else Züblin-Spiller. Its aim: provide inexpensive and healthy food for soldiers in alcohol-free mess rooms.
Operation of the workers’ room at the Bühler Maschinenfabrik factory in Uzwil, the first factory cafeteria in Switzerland to be run by an independent service company.
Opening of the first self-service canteen – a completely new concept in Switzerland. The first welfare counseling service: opening of Switzerland’s first neutral point of contact for in-house welfare counseling by a “Fabrikfürsorgerin” [factory welfare officer] at Maschinenfabrik Bühler in Uzwil.
SV opens its own training and development center in Zurich. Conducting training and diploma courses in all of the “women’s professions” represented by the Schweizer Verband Volksdienst [Swiss Association for People’s Services].
Formulation of initial environmental targets and raising employee awareness with a focus on energy, waste and cleaning.
Expansion into Germany with the acquisition of the clinic catering company KGS, Düsseldorf. At the same time in Switzerland: we enter a new business area – the care catering sector.
Entry into the event catering sector in Switzerland with the contract for catering at Messe Zürich.
Expansion into Austria through the establishment of our own national subsidiary.
Founding of the non-profit SV Foundation and the company SV Group AG as successor organizations to the SV Service association. As the supporting foundation, the SV Foundation becomes the SV Group’s main shareholder.
Opening of the Courtyard by Marriott in Zurich, and franchise partnership with Marriott International.
Entry into children’s catering (lunches) with Meals for Kids.
Entry into public catering with the opening of the first SPIGA Ristorante in the Westside shopping mall in Bern. The “fast-casual dining” concept is based on Italian cuisine.
Opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotels in Basel, the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel, and, in Munich, the first Residence Inn in Europe.
The ONE TWO WE climate action program is launched in collaboration with WWF Switzerland. SV Schweiz is the first catering company to set itself a specific climate target: a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions throughout Switzerland by 2015.
The SV Group looks back on 100 years of institutional catering. With around 8,500 employees and 600 restaurants in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, 120 million menus, meals and snacks are prepared and served with a smile every year.
The SV Group launches the SV Restaurant brand, a move that sees the SV Group’s core business – the operation of staff restaurants and cafeterias – acquire its own branding.
SV Switzerland enters into a strategic partnership with Schweizer Tierschutz [Swiss Animal Protection] (STS), thereby adding animal welfare to its sustainability program – a first in Swiss catering. The aim is to increase the proportion of BTS and RAUS products (from high-welfare livestock farming) to up to 80 percent over the next three years.
Opening of the first Moxy Hotel by Marriott in Stuttgart, the lifestyle brand of a new generation of hotels. Opening of a Moxy and a Residence Inn in Frankfurt.
First use of an autonomous catering solution available around the clock: the gustav smart fridge.
At the Glattzentrum shopping mall, the first SESH store marks the launch of a new restaurant concept offering sophisticated bowls containing high-quality ingredients. A few months later, SV opens its first burger restaurant, BRIX, in the Seedamm-Center.
Opening of Moxy Lausanne, Courtyard Freiburg im Breisgau and Moxy Bremen. Introduction of a dedicated hotel concept for extended stays. Stay KooooK combines the benefits of modern forms of accommodation into a pioneering offering for a new clientèle of discerning travelers.
SV opens a new food court in Zurich’s main railway station, including SESH Bowls and SPIGA Ristorante, designed entirely for takeout.
The SV Group is a catering partner of the newly opened Swiss Life Arena in Zurich-Altstetten. It operates a wide range of catering options at the stadium, from food boxes inside the stadium to the VIP area.
Opening of Moxy Duesseldorf City and Stay KooooK Bern City.
Die SV Group AG zieht sich aus dem österreichischen Markt zurück und verkauft die SV (Österreich) GmbH an die zur VIVATIS-Gruppe gehörende GMS GOURMET GmbH
To mark the 100th anniversary of the SV Group in 2014, a book about our history was published. Schweizer Pioniere der Wirtschaft und Technik: Die einzigartige Geschichte der SV Group. [Swiss Pioneers of Business and Technology: The Unique History of the SV Group.]