FRANKE
Swiss industrial manufacturer of kitchen systems, coffee equipment, commercial foodservice infrastructure, and related sanitary products.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
FRANKE is the principal brand and operating identity of Franke Holding AG, a Swiss industrial group headquartered in Aarburg. The company began in 1911, when Hermann Franke established a sheet-metal business in Rorschach, Switzerland. Its early output included oven tops, skylights, and dormer windows. As construction and sanitary markets expanded during the late 1920s and 1930s, Franke developed sanitary installations and began making sink units from materials including nickel alloys, Monel metal, and stainless steel. The company subsequently moved its operations to Aarburg, where it developed welded, smooth-surface sink production and expanded its manufacturing base. After Hermann Franke died in 1939, his son Walter assumed control. Wartime shortages complicated access to raw materials, but the business expanded after the Second World War as Franke added complete kitchens, exported to other European countries, and broadened its product scope. In 1950 it established a Washroom and Sanitary Equipment product group, serving communal washrooms and related facilities. The company also entered component manufacturing for propulsion systems and made its first foreign investment in Germany. By the middle of the 1950s, the workforce had grown to approximately 500 people. Franke accelerated its internationalization during the 1950s and 1960s. It expanded production, established subsidiaries and licensing relationships, and created a Commercial Kitchens division. The company’s commercial foodservice capabilities later became particularly important in the quick-service restaurant sector. In 1972, Franke built and installed its first kitchen for McDonald’s in Munich, helping establish a long-term position as a supplier of custom stainless-steel foodservice equipment and operational systems. By 1974, the group employed approximately 2,600 people. Ownership changed in 1975 when Walter Franke’s business partner Willi Pieper took over the company. Michael Pieper joined group management in 1989, and the business continued to expand through international subsidiaries, acquisitions, and divisional specialization. FRANKE’s portfolio now spans residential kitchen systems, professional coffee machines, commercial kitchens, foodservice equipment, sanitary and washroom products, and selected ventilation and kitchen-hood businesses. Residential offerings include sinks, faucets, waste-management systems, worktops, hoods, and integrated kitchen solutions. Its Coffee Systems business supplies bean-to-cup, traditional, and portion-based machines for professional and commercial settings. Its Foodservice Systems operations design and manufacture custom heated, refrigerated, and stainless-steel equipment for quick-service restaurant chains and other foodservice operators. The group operates through companies across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Reference material describes a network of approximately 8,100 employees in 63 companies, while other company-history material has characterized the organization as having approximately 8,500 employees in more than 70 companies; these figures vary by reporting period and organizational definition. A company-reported 2021 figure placed group turnover at CHF 2,557 million. FRANKE is positioned primarily in the mid-to-premium segment, emphasizing engineering, hygienic design, durability, integrated kitchen planning, and professional-service capability rather than competing solely on low price. Franke Holding AG is a Swiss family holding company headquartered in Aarburg, with divisions in kitchen systems, coffee machines, and bathroom products. It operates globally and is known for innovation and quality. FRANKE’s product portfolio now spans residential kitchen systems, professional coffee machines, commercial kitchens, foodservice equipment, bathroom products, and some ventilation and kitchen hood activities. Residential products include sinks, faucets, waste-disposal systems, worktops, hoods, and complete kitchen solutions. Its coffee systems business supplies fully automatic, traditional, and capsule-based machines for professional and commercial environments. Its foodservice systems business designs and manufactures custom heated, refrigerated, and stainless-steel equipment for quick-service chains and other foodservice operators. The group operates through companies in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Reference materials describe a network of approximately 8,100 employees in 63 companies, while other company histories state approximately 8,500 employees in more than 70 companies; these figures vary by reporting period and organizational definition. The company reported 2021 group turnover of CHF 2.557 billion. FRANKE is positioned mainly in the mid-to-premium segment, emphasizing engineering, hygienic design, durability, integrated kitchen planning, and professional service capability rather than competing on price alone.
History
Hermann Franke founded a sheet-metal business in Rorschach, Switzerland, in 1911. The enterprise initially produced metal components such as oven tops, skylights, and dormer windows. During the late 1920s, Franke responded to growth in construction and building services by establishing a sanitary-installations activity. In the 1930s it began manufacturing sink units in nickel alloys, Monel metal, and later stainless steel. The company built a new factory and offices in Aarburg, and its workforce moved there. Franke developed serial production and one of the early fully welded, smooth sink units, establishing the product category that would become central to its identity. Hermann Franke died on January 25, 1939, and his son Walter took over. The Second World War created severe material-supply problems, but the company expanded after the war as facilities were enlarged, complete kitchens were added, and exports began to other European countries. In 1950 Franke created a Washroom and Sanitary Equipment group for communal washrooms and WC facilities. It also began producing propulsion-system components and made its first foreign investment in Germany. By 1955, the business had approximately 500 employees. The construction boom of the 1950s supported rapid expansion. Franke established a Commercial Kitchens division, expanded its factories, and increased its workforce to approximately 750 employees by 1961. During the following decade it created 13 subsidiaries and entered licensing arrangements with two additional manufacturers. Its commercial-kitchen activity became strategically important when Franke built and installed the first kitchen it supplied for McDonald’s in Munich in 1972. By 1974, the group employed about 2,600 people. In 1975, ownership passed from Walter Franke to business partner Willi Pieper. The group added further subsidiaries and licensees, and in 1979 introduced the Franke compact sink system. During the late 1980s, the company adopted a divisional organizational structure. Michael Pieper joined group management in 1989, after which international expansion continued through subsidiaries, acquisitions, and broader product development. Franke subsequently developed a multinational structure with operations in Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Its businesses have included residential kitchen systems, professional coffee equipment, commercial kitchen infrastructure, foodservice equipment, washroom products, and kitchen ventilation. In the United States, its foodservice operation developed from the acquisition of a stainless-steel manufacturer in the Philadelphia metropolitan area during the 1970s; operations later moved to Tennessee in 1998. Franke Sissons in the United Kingdom combined the Sissons stainless-steel catering and washroom business with Carron Phoenix, acquired in 1990. In France, the group acquired Blinox and Roblin, the latter associated with kitchen hoods. The modern group operates through a broad international company network. Published descriptions have variously cited approximately 8,100 employees in 63 companies and approximately 8,500 employees in more than 70 companies, reflecting differing periods and counting methods. Franke’s business model combines branded residential products with specification-led commercial systems and service-supported professional equipment. In 2025–2026, the Home Solutions division underwent a leadership succession and added Røros Metall, a Norwegian kitchen-hood manufacturer, to reinforce its position in the Nordic region.
- 2026
Home Solutions leadership succession
[1]Corrado Mura succeeded Barbara Borra as president and CEO of Franke Home Solutions.
- 2026
Røros Metall acquired
[1]Franke acquired Norwegian kitchen-hood manufacturer Røros Metall for an undisclosed amount.
- 2021
Reported group turnover reaches CHF 2.557 billion
[3]Company-reported figures stated total Franke Group turnover of CHF 2,557 million for 2021.
- 2019
American foodservice businesses recombined
[1]The two American foodservice companies were merged back into Franke Foodservice Systems Americas.
- 2016
American foodservice business divided
[1]Franke separated its American foodservice activities into Franke Foodservice Solutions and Franke Foodservice Supply.
- 1998
U.S. foodservice operations move to Tennessee
[1]Franke moved its American foodservice operations to Tennessee, where it maintains manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
- 1990
Carron Phoenix acquired
[1]Franke acquired the Falkirk-based Carron Phoenix business in the United Kingdom.
- 1989
Michael Pieper joins group management
[1]Michael Pieper entered Franke’s group management as the company continued its international expansion.
- 1979
Compact sink system introduced
[1]Franke launched its compact sink system as an integrated residential kitchen product.
- 1975
Ownership changes to Willi Pieper
[1]Business partner Willi Pieper took over ownership of Franke.
Products and positioning
Mid-to-premium kitchen and foodservice systems brand focused on design, engineering, hygiene, durability, and integrated solutions.
Kitchen systems
Residential kitchen systems
FRANKE’s residential portfolio centers on coordinated kitchen systems rather than isolated fixtures. It includes sinks, faucets, waste-management units, worktops, hoods, and accessories designed to work together in fitted kitchens. The brand emphasizes material quality, hygienic surfaces, ergonomic layouts, and design coordination across the preparation, cleaning, and cooking zones.
Kitchen fixtures · 1930
Kitchen sinks
Sinks are one of FRANKE’s historic core products. The company moved from early metal sink production to serial manufacture of stainless-steel and fully welded smooth sink units. Contemporary sink systems span multiple configurations and materials for residential kitchens, combining bowls, drainboards, accessories, and installation formats.
Kitchen fixtures
Kitchen faucets
FRANKE kitchen faucets complement its sink systems and are positioned around coordinated design, usability, and durability. The range serves fitted residential kitchens and can be specified alongside sinks and other preparation-area products.
Kitchen ventilation
Kitchen hoods and ventilation
The brand supplies kitchen hoods and ventilation products for residential applications. This activity has been supported by businesses including Roblin and, following the announced 2026 acquisition, Røros Metall, extending FRANKE’s presence in European and Nordic hood manufacturing.
Coffee equipment
Professional coffee systems
FRANKE Coffee Systems develops and services professional coffee equipment for hospitality, workplace, convenience, and foodservice environments. Its portfolio includes bean-to-cup machines, traditional-style equipment, and portion or pod-based systems, with the business combining hardware, beverage preparation, and service support.
Commercial foodservice · 1972
Quick-service restaurant foodservice systems
Franke Foodservice Systems Americas manufactures and sells custom stainless-steel heated and refrigerated equipment for quick-service restaurant chains. The business supports chain-specific kitchen layouts and operational requirements, extending beyond standard consumer appliances into engineered foodservice infrastructure.
Sanitary equipment · 1950
Washroom and sanitary equipment
Established as a dedicated product group in 1950, FRANKE’s washroom and sanitary activities serve communal, institutional, and commercial facilities. The category includes equipment for washrooms and WC environments and reflects the company’s historical connection to building services and sanitary installations.
Brand decisions
2026
Acquire Røros MetallM&ABackground
Franke sought to expand its kitchen-hood capabilities and Nordic manufacturing presence within Home Solutions.
Action taken
Franke acquired Norwegian hood manufacturer Røros Metall for an undisclosed amount.
Aftermath
Røros Metall became part of Franke Home Solutions, broadening the group’s operations in the Nordic region.
2026
Appoint Corrado Mura as Home Solutions CEOOtherBackground
The leadership change followed Barbara Borra’s retirement after seven years in the role.
Action taken
Franke promoted Corrado Mura, previously vice president for EMEA, to president and chief executive officer of Franke Home Solutions.
Aftermath
The appointment represented an internal succession for the division.
2019
Recombine American foodservice businessesStrategyBackground
Franke reversed the 2016 separation of its American foodservice activities.
Action taken
Franke Foodservice Solutions and Franke Foodservice Supply were merged back into Franke Foodservice Systems Americas.
Aftermath
The consolidation restored a unified American foodservice organization focused on custom equipment for quick-service restaurant chains.
2016
Separate the American foodservice activitiesStrategyBackground
Franke reorganized its American foodservice operation into two sister companies, Franke Foodservice Solutions and Franke Foodservice Supply.
Action taken
The business was divided into separate operating entities with distinct activities.
Aftermath
The companies were later recombined into a single Franke Foodservice Systems Americas organization in 2019.
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