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The history of the SV Group
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.
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1914
Origins
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.
1946
In-house training center
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].
1918
Entry into institutional catering
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.
1922
An innovation in Switzerland
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.
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1987
Ecological compass
Formulation of initial environmental targets and raising employee awareness with a focus on energy, waste and cleaning.
1992
Expansion into Germany
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.
1996
New business area: event catering
Entry into the event catering sector in Switzerland with the contract for catering at Messe Zürich.
1997
Expansion into Austria
Expansion into Austria through the establishment of our own national subsidiary.
1999
Innovative corporate structure
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.
2006
Entry into the hotel industry
Opening of the Courtyard by Marriott in Zurich, and franchise partnership with Marriott International.
2007
Entry into children’s catering
Entry into children’s catering (lunches) with Meals for Kids.
2009
Entry into public catering
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.
2010/2011
Expansion of the hotel portfolio
Opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotels in Basel, the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel, and, in Munich, the first Residence Inn in Europe.
2013
Pioneers of climate action
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.
2014
A proud anniversary
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.
2015
New brand: SV Restaurant
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.
2016
Industry pioneers in animal welfare
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.
2017/2018
Growth in prime locations with SV Hotel
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.
2019
New business area: smart fridge
First use of an autonomous catering solution available around the clock: the gustav smart fridge.
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2020
Jumping on trends in public catering
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.
2020/2021
Growth and our own hotel concept
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.
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2022
Entry into the pure takeout business
SV opens a new food court in Zurich’s main railway station, including SESH Bowls and SPIGA Ristorante, designed entirely for takeout.
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2022
Stadium catering at the Swiss Life Arena
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.
2022/2023
Continuous growth with SV Hotel
Opening of Moxy Duesseldorf City and Stay KooooK Bern City.
2024
SV (Österreich) GmbH has a new owner
SV Group AG is withdrawing from the Austrian market and selling SV (Österreich) GmbH to GMS GOURMET GmbH, which belongs to the VIVATIS Group
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2025
Hotel portfolio continues to grow
The hotel portfolio now includes four Moxy Hotels and two Residence Inn by Marriott in Berlin, Dortmund, Dresden and Essen, as well as a Stay KooooK in Munich. SV Hotel is also opening its first hotel of a Hyatt brand, the Me and All Hotel Berlin East Side.
The SV Group’s unique history
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.]