FAQ

In 1919, Wilhelm Ditsch founded a small pretzel bakery near the train station in Mainz. With great passion and true craftsmanship, he laid the foundation for a brand that is now known far beyond the city limits. Ditsch quickly recognized the potential of mobile sales and opened a stand directly on the platform – the first step in an impressive success story.

Today, we stand for quality, variety, and strong values. Our employees and agency partners contribute every day to delighting our customers with freshly baked pretzel products – from the classic pretzel to innovative snack ideas.

That Ditsch has existed for over a century is proof of our successful concept and the continued demand for traditional flavor, baked by real pretzel bakers. Even today, you can feel the influence of founders Wilhelm and Heinz Ditsch – strong, approachable, and authentic.

Every Ditsch shop offers more than just delicious pretzel products: it is the result of decades of tradition, dedicated work, and continuous development. Today, Ditsch operates over 170 shops and is one of the leading providers of pretzels, pizzas, and savory snacks in Germany.

What sets us apart is our close connection to our customers. Our teams are passionate about offering fresh quality every day – from classic pretzel snacks to new trend products. In our shops, we don’t just bake – we also invest continuously: in modern technology, sustainability, and the growth of our company. Each Ditsch shop is a place where quality and responsibility go hand in hand.

Ditsch was founded in 1919 by Wilhelm Ditsch in Mainz and further developed by his son Heinz. Since then, the company has been selling crispy pretzels with passion – today also under the brand Brezelkönig in Switzerland. At Ditsch, we don’t just bake – we live responsibility: for people, the environment, and enjoyment with integrity. A positive future begins in the oven.

Of course, Ditsch also offers a selection of delicious vegan and vegetarian products – perfect for a quick snack or a hearty breakfast. Whether it’s our Schlemmerzunge, the Spinach & Mushroom Pizza, or a classic pretzel roll, our vegetarian baked goods stand out for their taste and quality. At busy shop locations, clear labeling on price tags makes it easy to identify vegetarian products – no hidden info, just transparent and easy to spot.

Many of our independent agency partners proudly offer the vegetarian range as well. The growing demand is essential: investing in variety pays off. Our salted classics, crunchy filled pretzel sandwiches, pizza snacks, sweet pretzels, and croissants – at Ditsch, enjoyment comes in many forms. With innovative product development that identifies market trends and translates them into our high standards of quality and freshness, we continuously evolve our assortment.

Do you have a voucher from a promotion and want to redeem it at Ditsch? Absolutely! In many of our shops across Germany, you can exchange your voucher for savory snacks or hot drinks – quickly and easily. Please note: redemption depends on available stock and capacity at participating locations. In some shops, certain products, such as hot drinks, may not be included in the promotion.

Also important: promotional vouchers cannot be combined with other discounts. For details, ask our team on-site whether your voucher can be redeemed at that location. We’re happy to help and hope you enjoy your visit with a smile and a tasty snack!

Sustainability plays a central role in our Ditsch shops – from using regional ingredients to implementing modern reusable systems. Ditsch actively takes responsibility for the environment and the future. In many shops, you can already use the Vytal reusable system or bring your own cup. We love that – and reward it with a discount on hot drinks.

Whether it’s Ditsch pretzels, pretzel sticks, or other baked goods, our products are made with care and passion – straight from our in-house bakery to our pretzel stands. As pretzel bakers, we stand for quality and awareness, true to tradition. Our independent agency partners also ensure that our sustainability standards are upheld – guaranteeing consistently high quality at all locations. Ditsch takes responsibility: energy-efficient processes, recyclable packaging, and eco-friendly delivery routes are all part of it.

Want to share feedback about a Ditsch shop? Whether it’s a suggestion, praise, criticism, or complaint, we appreciate every message! If you had an issue or a particularly positive experience, please send us a message via our contact form. Be sure to include the shop location, date, and time of your visit – this helps us address your concern directly.

We’re also happy to assist with questions or reviews. Your feedback will be forwarded to the responsible agency partner so we can continuously improve our service at the shop level. Every message helps us provide an even better Ditsch experience for you and other guests. Thank you for taking the time!

At Ditsch, enjoying your snack is not only quick but also convenient. Whether you’re craving a freshly baked pretzel or a coffee on the go, payment is contactless and secure:

• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Maestro
• Visa
• V Pay
• Diners Club
• Mastercard

These options are available in all shops. Your favorite Ditsch location offers not only hot snacks but also modern payment freedom. Just tap your smartphone or card – no cash needed. We continuously improve our services so your shopping experience is as smooth as our pretzels. Our payment options have been expanded to ensure the same comfort at every location, big or small. You’ll find even more to enjoy in our product world and during your next visit.

The Ditsch Agency Partner System offers a unique combination of entrepreneurial freedom and the security of an established baked goods specialist. Unlike many traditional franchise systems, you don’t need to invest your own capital. However, depending on the shop size, a deposit is required. You take over a fully equipped shop, build your own revenue, and benefit from the strong reputation of our brand – Ditsch, the traditional pretzel bakery.

You’ll have a strong network in purchasing, marketing, product development, field service, and construction supporting you from day one. We handle logistics, promotional materials, and technical support so you can focus entirely on your guests. You receive a commission based on your sales, meaning your performance is directly rewarded. In short: you get all the benefits of a franchise-like system while maintaining maximum flexibility – perfect for achieving your goal of running your own shop. You’ll also receive regular training to ensure your service and product quality are always top-notch.

Anyone with a passion for food-service can become an agency partner – whether you’ve worked part-time, as a temp, or as a store manager. What matters most are your ability to inspire people, lead a team, and understand basic business principles. We often see applicants from diverse backgrounds – from system catering and retail to creative food start-ups – successfully grow into the role of an agency partner.

Whether you’ve baked pizzas in your free time, organized events, or gained sales experience - anything that strengthens your entrepreneurial spirit is welcome. You should be open to feedback, enjoy fresh products, and be willing to take responsibility for staff, product quality, and hygiene. A formal qualification is helpful but not required; what matters most is your willingness to learn and deliver excellent service and top-quality products to continuously grow your revenue. If team culture is important to you and you’re ready to take your career to the next level, you’re a perfect fit for Ditsch.

The path to your own Ditsch shop is clearly structured and usually takes just a few months – from the first introductory meeting to the shop opening.

• Fill out the online application form and answer all questions so we can better understand your motivation.
• Our team will review your documents; you don’t need a university degree, but we want to see that you’ve gained experience in sales or gastronomy and are well-organized.
• In a personal meeting, you’ll meet an experienced sales representative and find out whether the Ditsch agency system is right for you. We firmly believe that entrepreneurial spirit is more important than formal titles.
• Together, we’ll select a suitable location from our list of available sites, and you’ll begin the mandatory training phase. Here, you’ll learn how to efficiently run a shop, lead a team, and offer great service and excellent baked goods.
• After opening, our experienced field team will support you on-site with all questions related to staff management, product quality, and performance metrics.

Yes, you can either open a new location or take over an existing shop – maybe even the one where you’ve been enjoying our delicious pretzels for years. When a shop becomes available, we list it on our website. This gives you the chance to start without a construction phase and with an existing customer base. After a thorough handover, you’ll learn how to improve product quality, ensure availability of our goods, and deliver excellent service.

Our field service team will provide extra support during this phase to help you successfully achieve your goal of running a shop through the agency model.

Your journey as a self-employed agency partner begins online: you fill out the application form, application form, asking only for essential personal details and check whether you’re a good fit for our proven business model and the role. A regional manager will then guide you through seven clearly defined steps – from site proposal to shop opening. You don’t need to make any major investments for our agency model, just a deposit of between €5,000 and 10,000 depending on shop size, which keeps you financially flexible.

Throughout the entire process, you’ll have access to comprehensive training on our products, POS systems, and team leadership. In parallel, Valora Food Service – the parent company behind Ditsch – handles all contracts and supports you in launching your self-employment. Instead of long lead times and high entry fees, Ditsch focuses on a partnership-oriented path to self-employment within a proven system that has been successful for decades.

Ditsch, the pretzel bakery, is much more than just a simple bakery counter: over 170 shops in Germany and Austria operate in train stations, shopping centers, and pedestrian zones – locations where customers look for fresh snacks every day.

Ditsch is currently looking for new agency partners in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Wiesbaden, and also offers additional shop formats in high-traffic food court areas.

All available locations, including opportunities to take over existing shops, are listed in our online portal – allowing you to choose a shop with an already established sales record. You’ll be part of a strong partnership with Valora, the international retail and food service group. In short: whether in city centers or transport hubs, Ditsch offers you diverse growth opportunities within a well-established network that has established the brand as a leading pretzel bakery since 1919.

Your income is based on a monthly commission, calculated as a percentage of your shop’s revenue – the more pretzels, snacks, coffee, etc. you sell, the higher your earnings.

As a self-employed agency partner, you are responsible for the daily operations of your shop: leading the team, overseeing service, managing orders and baking, and ensuring efficient operations. You are also responsible for supporting your employees development and fostering a motivated workplace. Employee salaries follow market standards and comply with the legal minimum wage - without fixed company-wide guidelines

You recruit your employees and assign them tasks based on their roles in the shop. As an employer, you are a role model, point of contact, and organizer. Your commitment helps create a sustainable high quality workplace– similar to restaurant standards.

Your compensation is commission-based and linked directly to revenue, so your entrepreneurial efforts directly pay off. Of course, your income also depends on key factors such as location traffic, team performance, and product offerings. You work within a proven business concept and benefit from the strong support of our field team, who help you run and manage the shop efficiently – whether opening a new location or taking over an existing shop.

Traditional franchise models often require high entry costs and long-term contractual commitments. The innovative agency partner system at Ditsch, however, allows you to run a shop as an indenpendent and successful agency partner – without needing large amounts of capital. Depending on shop size and expected revenue, you only need to provide a deposit. You take full responsibility for your business on-site, operate independently, and benefit from the experience and structure of an established company.

As part of the international Valora Group, Ditsch provides you with a fully functional shop covering shop construction, product supply, POS systems, and IT infrastructure. You are responsible for daily operations, your team, and the sale of fresh, high-quality baked goods. In close coordination with our expericend sales consultants and field staff, work together to select product ranges and promotional campaigns that drive sales. The agency partner system combines the security of an established network with the freedom of running your own business, offering a customer-focused business model designed for the future of snacking.