Areas where potential can now be leveraged

The results of the survey are clear: The economic situation in school and daycare catering remains challenging. Indeed, some 98 percent of providers again report an increase in operating expenditure in 2025, with total expenditure rising by an average of 8.8 percent (2024: 11 percent). The areas of personnel, food purchasing, repairs and operating resources are particularly affected.

However, the restrained price evolution is also worthy of note here. Although 63 percent of caterers have adjusted their portion prices, the increases are moderate. The average price of primary school meals has even fallen slightly. At the same time, 40 percent of those surveyed reported an increase in cancellations. Many families are apparently keen to save on school and daycare centre meals – even though these meals also represent an important social factor.

Added to these factors are structural framework conditions that are further increasing cost pressure. To date, there are no uniform nationwide standards for school and daycare catering in Germany. Concepts such as state subsidies, tendering criteria or quality requirements differ, sometimes quite significantly. In some areas, caterers are only expected to deliver, while in others they are expected to finance services such as canteen equipment or kitchen appliances themselves. Differences between Germany's "Bundesländer" states in terms of minimum wages also have a direct impact on profitability and therefore pricing.

This results in an uneven playing field, i.e. provision of comparable services but under very different conditions. For many providers, this not only makes costing more difficult, but also complicates long-term investment and planning security. "We need stable and standardised framework conditions, as well as fair funding, for children's catering in Germany," emphasises Ralf Blauert, 1st Chairman of the Association of German School and Daycare Caterers (VDSKC). "This is the only way we can achieve true educational equality."

Against this backdrop, focus is shifting to the areas that can actually be influenced in ongoing operations.

Concepts that take a holistic approach to processes show how these principles can be implemented in everyday operations. Modular serving lines such as the BASIC LINE Kids, available in heights of 750 and 900 mm, structure the process, reduce staff workload and enable independent serving. Their sturdy, durable design is tailored for daily use and helps reduce both repair and replacement costs in the long term.

Sorting stations, as well as clearly organised return and transport solutions support structured processes after food serving. They provide an overview of operations and help to continuously optimise processes. Durable, resilient equipment also pays off here.

Dispenser systems complement these concepts by simplifying and speeding up the serving and return processes.

Solutions of this kind are supported by the experience of B.PRO experts, who adopt a holistic view when planning and designing serving situations. They not only advise on the selection of suitable systems, but also with regard to current standards, specifications and individual framework conditions on site.

According to the VDSKC, 2026 is unlikely to bring any noticeable relief. Indeed, even the VAT reduction announced at the start of the year will be largely cancelled out by the simultaneous increase in the minimum wage. Some 77 percent of catering companies surveyed therefore expect to have to adjust their prices again in the coming year.

This makes it all the more important to find solutions that take the strain out of day-to-day operations and have a long-term impact. Clear processes, a robust infrastructure and plannable concepts create the stability that all school and daycare catering operations under cost pressure need.