Germany Restaurant Situational Analysis

Situational Analysis

Cultural traditions, norms and mores of food consumption

Like many European countries, the major staples of the German diet include meats, vegetables, and bread. Among meats, poultry is widely considered to be the most popular and it is common to find it pot-roasted and in sausage form. Noting their penchant for meat consumption, one source claims that the “average citizen will consume up to 130 pounds of meat in a year”.

In terms of vegetables, Germans have a wide-array to choose from. These are frequently featured in stews and soups, but like in the United States, are also often served alongside entrees as side dishes. Among some of the most common of these vegetables in the German diet are potatoes, cabbage, carrots, turnips and spinach.

Drinks and dessert are also a big part of the German dining experience, particularly at dinner, which tends to be a more relaxed socially-oriented meal. Some of the most common German dessert dishes are cakes and tarts which contain any number of fruit. One of the most popular desserts is a pudding called "Rote Grütze", which is comprised of black and red currants, raspberries and sometimes strawberries or cherries.

Germans also have a penchant for beer, ales and lager. However, when not consuming these alcoholic beverages, Germans sip on coffee, tea and soft drinks like Schorle (a combination of juice and other beverages). Speaking of juice, it is growing in popularity and fast becoming one of the favorite beverages for German’s to enjoy throughout the day. Germans can purchase bottled juice at their local market or stop by one of many stands or establishments that offer a wide array of freshly-squeezed juice options.

Like many other fully-developed countries, exotic, or “non-native” food in Germany has had quite an impact on the diet of its native people. In some instances, foreign foods found their way into the German diet from immigrants. One example was the introduction of spaghetti and pizza from Germany’s neighbor to the south, Italy.

Another group with a vast impact on the eating habits