Currywurst in Crisis: Iconic Canteen Classic Drops to Fourth Place

For decades, it was the undisputed favorite in German workplace canteens: the currywurst – often referred to as the "power bar of the skilled worker." But now, the iconic sausage is slipping in popularity. According to the latest sales ranking by German catering giant apetito, the currywurst has dropped to fourth place.

Global Tastes Take Over

Since 1992, currywurst had regularly topped apetito’s internal sales charts. But tastes in German company canteens are changing. The current number one? Spaghetti Bolognese – followed by Chicken Korma with rice and the Indonesian noodle dish Bami Goreng.“Our sales data clearly show a shift toward more international cuisine and more conscious eating habits,” says Jan-Peer Laabs, CEO of apetito.
Vegetarian options are also on the rise. Four of the top ten dishes are now meat-free, including cheese spaetzle and chili sin carne.

From Fresh Cooking to Frozen Meals

At the same time, the way workplace canteens operate is changing. More and more companies are outsourcing their meal services to caterers. In-house cooking is becoming rare – largely due to a growing shortage of kitchen staff. Around 40,000 jobs remain unfilled in Germany’s food service industry.
Pre-cooked frozen meals are becoming a practical solution. They help supply meals to around 17 million people in German company canteens every day.

EU Eyes Portion Control

Even the European Union is now taking a closer look at the currywurst. A working group in Brussels is evaluating new rules under the banner of “canteen flavor diversity.” Proposed regulations include standards for portion size, color, and composition.
One suggestion: Works councils should monitor how much mayonnaise is served with French fries. At apetito, the idea is met with skepticism. CEO Laabs sees it as bureaucracy with little relevance to real-world kitchens. Betriebsrat (works council rep) José Martinas adds, “We honestly have bigger problems than discussing how much mayo goes on fries.”

What's Next for the Currywurst?

The currywurst isn't going away – but its cult status is fading. It has become a symbol of the shift happening in German workplace dining: less meat, more variety, more global flavors. Whether it stages a comeback will depend on one thing alone – taste.