Vapiano

Vapiano is an Italian-inspired casual restaurant brand that focuses on fresh pasta, pizza, salads, and desserts prepared to order in an open kitchen. Guests customize their dishes to taste and dietary needs, with ordering handled digitally at the table and food delivered directly to their seats. The atmosphere is relaxed and contemporary, with a mix of communal tables, smaller group seating, and lounge-style areas that encourage social dining and longer dwell times.

The company was founded in 2002 in Hamburg, Germany, with the idea of combining fast-casual convenience and full-service quality in a setting built around fresh preparation in full view of the guest. A notable milestone in the brand’s development came in 2008 with the opening of its first restaurant in London, which marked its move into English-speaking markets and helped build recognition beyond continental Europe. Over time Vapiano expanded into more than 30 countries, reaching major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia and the Americas.

Restructuring between 2020 and 2022 reshaped the portfolio, with exits from weaker markets and the closure of underperforming locations. The company shifted toward a more sustainable, asset-light approach in some regions and narrowed its focus to territories where the concept has proven staying power. As of December 2024, Vapiano operates about 65 restaurants worldwide under the ownership of Vapiano SE, with a concentrated presence in Germany, Austria, the UAE, and select other European and Middle Eastern cities. The United States website remains active, but the current U.S. footprint is minimal and not a near-term growth priority.

During the past five years, Vapiano has moved from rapid international roll-out to a more selective, disciplined pattern of growth. Instead of pursuing broad, speculative expansion, the brand has focused on stabilizing existing units, strengthening core markets, and updating its operating model, including the use of QR code ordering and streamlined service to improve throughput and labor efficiency. New development is targeted to urban, high-traffic locations in city centers and mixed-use projects where office workers, residents, tourists, and shoppers can support steady all-day volume.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Vapiano represents a mid-sized, internationally experienced casual dining operator that is selective but still active in its priority regions. Its format works in a range of layouts, from prominent streetfront units in city centers to spaces within shopping centers and lifestyle districts. The open kitchen, flexible seating, and digital ordering allow the concept to adapt to different floorplates while delivering a recognizable experience that fits well in modern, food-driven mixed-use environments.