“Leberkäse” – Austria's iconic snack is conquering Europe
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gourmetfein's Leberkäse (Austrian meatloaf), produced in Austria, has become one of the country's signature snacks and is now firmly established in the fuel retail and convenience market. Alongside its core markets of Austria and Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia and other European countries are increasingly embracing this snack from the Alps.
When it comes to snacks at fuel stations or convenience stores, a great product alone is no longer enough: combining outstanding taste with simple on-site preparation is a daily challenge for foodservice managers. This is exactly where the Leberkäse bun comes in — the snack from the Alpine region has become increasingly popular in recent years. Its broad range of varieties and the resulting wealth of snack options, paired with effortless handling, win over not only customers but operators too.
“Leberkäse has arrived as a snack item at fuel stations and convenience stores and has established itself as a genuine part of the foodservice business.”
— Florian Hippesroither, CEO of gourmetfein
More than 8,000 customers across Germany and Austria now rely on this Austrian snack. From BP and Aral to Shell, Esso, TotalEnergies, Circle K, AVIA, Enilive, Socar, Billa, Pink and OMV — many well-known brands are already among our long-standing customers. Interest from the fuel retail sector remains strong and continues to grow.
“Just as the burger found its way to us in Austria, we're now bringing Leberkäse step by step to other European countries — and one day, perhaps, to the whole world.”
— Florian Hippesroither, CEO of gourmetfein
Variety drives customer footfall
The wide variety of products available is a key factor when it comes to tailoring the snack offering to a specific market and its customers' needs. The core pork and beef varieties are available in more than 20 flavors — from Classic, Cheese and Chili Cheese to Pizza, Tomato Mozzarella and Porcini Truffle. A growing selection of varieties made exclusively from turkey or beef is also available, allowing the product range to be tailored even more closely to today's consumer preferences.
This opens up countless possibilities for creative snack concepts — from the classic Leberkäse roll to innovative sandwich and burger creations. Particularly popular right now are the Alpine Classic (bread roll, Classic Leberkäse, mustard cream, pickled cucumber and horseradish) and Alpine Fire (bread roll, Chili Cheese Leberkäse, chipotle sauce, crispy onions and jalapeños). Especially during Oktoberfest season, when Alpine cuisine takes center stage in many places, another popular creation features a pretzel roll, “Weißwurst Leberkäse“ and mustard-and-sauerkraut salad.
“Our range of Leberkäse varieties offers countless possibilities for creative snack ideas, while keeping preparation simple and convenient.”
— Florian Hippesroither, CEO of gourmetfein
Optimized handling for every use case
On-site preparation can be a challenge for many foodservice managers. That's why gourmetfein works closely with its customers to develop tailored solutions that simplify handling, reduce write-offs and boost sales.
The first step: gourmetfein Leberkäse is always delivered fully baked — never raw or as uncooked mince. This minimizes on-site risk and ensures a long shelf life. Customers can then choose whether to use the Leberkäse as a whole loaf or in pre-cut slices: at high-traffic locations, the whole loaf remains the preferred choice and can be attractively presented in hot deli counters. For greater flexibility, ready-portioned Leberkäse slices are becoming increasingly popular — simple preparation using a contact grill or high-speed oven, such as those from Merrychef, Atollspeed or Unox, makes efficient use of existing equipment and allows the product to be heated in around a minute. Depending on the logistics partner's requirements, products can be supplied either fresh or frozen.
Sustainability and clean labelling as standard
Across the food industry, and particularly in meat processing, customer expectations regarding sustainability and animal welfare continue to rise. gourmetfein recognized this development early on and shifted its focus towards sustainable meat production back in 2014. Today, 50 pig farmers and 160 cattle farmers supply meat exclusively to gourmetfein. Clearly defined animal welfare standards, short live-animal transport distances and non-GMO feed are mandatory requirements. The finished products also reflect a strong commitment to clean labelling: all products are free from flavor enhancers and artificial colorings, as well as being non-GMO and gluten-free.
“Sustainability isn't a marketing claim for us — it's part of our DNA. We have a great responsibility towards animals, the environment and nature conservation — not just for ourselves, but for the generations that come after us.”
— Florian Hippesroither, CEO of gourmetfein