About us
Our Motivation
With its unmistakable taste and that familiar moment of “Mmmh, that’s Ditsch!”, our products are made with the finest ingredients and produced to the highest quality and safety standards. From frozen pretzels and shaped pretzels to pretzel croissant specialties and bake-off pizzas – Ditsch is a strong partner for sustainable solutions and delicious ideas.
It’s the special magic of pretzel pastries that drives us. A fresh pretzel can feel as good as sunshine on your skin. With our ever-growing range of products, we create real moments of joy every single day. And with more than one billion baked goods and snacks produced every year, there’s a simple reason behind everything we do:
Because we love pretzels. Since 1919 – and a little more every day.
Because we love pretzels.
From origin to future: Ditsch brings the pretzel to the whole world.
Our Mission
What makes a good pretzel product?
When is a pretzel product truly a great pretzel product? When someone, somewhere in the world, suddenly craves a fresh pretzel – and thinks of us. When every bite is pure enjoyment, that’s when it’s Ditsch.
For more than 100 years, we’ve stood for genuine quality. Our pretzels aren’t just baked with passion – they’re the result of proven craftsmanship. A wonderful aroma, a crisp crust, and a soft, fluffy center: that’s real pretzel tradition.
Whether in a bakery or a coffee shop, topped with savory cheese or finished with sweet caramel – our products offer endless possibilities, and each one leaves you wanting more.
Ditsch – authentic, premium, simply irresistible.
First shop-in-shop concept in Monterrey, Mexico, opened in collaboration with FEMSA in an Oxxo convenience store.
2025
First shop-in-shop concept
2024
Ditsch shops shine in new splendor
Ditsch is developing a new counter concept for its shops with even more fresh pretzel sandwiches, filled baked goods, sweet pretzels, coffee, and cold drinks.
1947
A new bakery and a new beginning
Upon returning from war captivity, Wilhelm and his son Heinz begin to rebuild the bakery on Kapuzinerstrasse themselves. Mainz and the surrounding area have their Ditsch pretzels again.Upon returning from war captivity, Wilhelm and his son Heinz begin to rebuild the bakery on Kapuzinerstrasse themselves. Mainz and the surrounding area have their Ditsch pretzels again.
1935
Fresh pretzels at local festivals
After a premises without a retail area is acquired at Taunusstrasse 1 in Mainz, the bakery is granted its first official permit to bake pretzels on two Sundays with a view to supplying the public festivals in nearby Rüsselsheim and Bad Homburg.
1919
It all began with Wilhelm Ditsch
He paved the way for the 100-year Ditsch tradition: in 1919, Wilhelm Ditsch has his “pretzel bakery”, located at Löhrstrasse 17, entered in the Mainz Commercial Register.
2022
Valora gains a new partner
Valora becomes part of the Mexican FEMSA Group and thus a partner in a global corporate network with over 350,000 employees.
2019
100 years of Ditsch
With over 200 shops, founder Wilhelm Ditsch’s idea is as relevant today as ever: Ditsch is never far away when hunger strikes. More than 100 years on, our tradition continues – full of life and driven by outstanding quality and innovation. Together with Ditsch USA and Brezelkönig Switzerland, we are now one of the world’s leading producers of pretzel products.
2017
Crazy for pretzels
The Valora Group buys Cincinnati-based pretzel producer Pretzel Baron, meaning that it is producing on location in the USA for the very first time. In the following year, Pretzel Baron is renamed Ditsch USA. After 20 years in Oranienbaum, a new building for Ditsch is being planned with two further production lines.
2014
Going from strength to strength
The 200th Ditch shop is officially opened in Berlin and the 8th production line goes into operation at the Oranienbaum plant. Topping it all off are the significant resources saved through energy management at all locations.
2012
A large market needs a strong partner
The strong Ditsch brand is part of the international Valora Group from Switzerland with Peter Ditsch as anchor shareholder. A commitment to quality and a spirit of innovation remain part of Ditsch’s successful recipe in the following years.
2010
Ditsch pretzel specialities from Hamburg to Munich
With a total of 180 shops, Ditsch now sells its pretzels throughout Germany, sharing the wonderful taste that Mainz has known and loved since 1919. The company headquarters in the Hechtsheim district of Mainz is given an extension.
2000
Ditsch and Brezelkönig
Ditsch takes over Brezelkönig AG, a company founded in Switzerland in 1995, and expands the Swiss shop network from five to around 30 locations over the next three years.
1998
Excellent prospects in Oranienbaum
Official opening of the company’s second production facility: the new 7,700 m² Ditsch plant in Oranienbaum, near Dessau. A very promising location – and not just from a business perspective. As well as this, Ditsch moves into the B2B market.
1996
Even more reasons to celebrate
A small celebration already took place in 1995 to mark the opening of the 100th Ditsch shop. The following year, the company was presented with the Hamburg Food Service Award for outstanding services to the sector.
1994
75 years of Ditsch
Ditsch has established itself as a quality brand and has every reason for celebrating its 75th anniversary: a small bakery in Mainz evolved into one of the largest direct marketers of oven-fresh pretzel products in Germany.
1988
Even more room for new ideas
The production hall is expanded, introducing a spiral conveyor for proofing and freezing pretzel dough. New additions to the product range include Cheese Bakes and Ham & Cheese Sticks.
1980
Ditsch pretzel ovens: a red-hot innovation
When Peter Ditsch saw this oven at a trade fair, he knew immediately that his company would be able to provide fresh, hot pretzels anywhere and at any time. Soon afterwards, the first deep-frozen pretzels are baked on location in stationary Ditsch shops.
1975
For the love of pretzels: Peter Ditsch
Peter Ditsch joins the family business and soon takes over responsibility for sales organisation. The first mobile pretzel stands that can be collected at the end of the day can be attributed to his initiative.
1972
The first ever Ditsch pretzel stand
A brilliant business idea: setting up a pretzel stand in Mainz Central Station to allow people to stock up on snacks before catching their trains. At this stage, the stand still needs to be set up in the morning and taken down in the evening.
1952
Heinz Ditsch and the pretzel men
In 1952, Wilhelm Ditsch handed over the bakery to his son Heinz. It was he who initiated the first “pretzel men”, who sold fresh pretzels out of baskets in the pubs and taverns of Mainz and at local festivals.
Taking responsibility
Our recipe for success? The formula 24-7-365. With it, we ensure that our products meet the strictly defined quality and safety standards every day of the year.
What we have already achieved? 50 percent less emissions since 2019 and 100 percent renewable energies. What we want to achieve? No emissions by 2050. This is our contribution.
Flawless products consist of high-quality ingredients. We cooperate exclusively with selected suppliers and rely on raw materials from controlled cultivation.
The cycle of a pretzel product does not start in the dough bowl, but much earlier: We are committed to fair working conditions and a safe, sustainable and transparent supply chain.
Tradition or change? Both. Preserving the time-honored baking craft is just as important to us as integrating culinary trends and ever-new recipes.
