FRANKE

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.

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.

1. 2026Home Solutions leadership succession

   Corrado Mura succeeded Barbara Borra as president and CEO of Franke Home Solutions.

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2. 2026Røros Metall acquired

   Franke acquired Norwegian kitchen-hood manufacturer Røros Metall for an undisclosed amount.

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3. 2021Reported group turnover reaches CHF 2.557 billion

   Company-reported figures stated total Franke Group turnover of CHF 2,557 million for 2021.

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4. 2019American foodservice businesses recombined

   The two American foodservice companies were merged back into Franke Foodservice Systems Americas.

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5. 2016American foodservice business divided

   Franke separated its American foodservice activities into Franke Foodservice Solutions and Franke Foodservice Supply.

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6. 1998U.S. foodservice operations move to Tennessee

   Franke moved its American foodservice operations to Tennessee, where it maintains manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

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7. 1990Carron Phoenix acquired

   Franke acquired the Falkirk-based Carron Phoenix business in the United Kingdom.

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8. 1989Michael Pieper joins group management

   Michael Pieper entered Franke’s group management as the company continued its international expansion.

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9. 1979Compact sink system introduced

   Franke launched its compact sink system as an integrated residential kitchen product.

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10. 1975Ownership changes to Willi Pieper

    Business partner Willi Pieper took over ownership of Franke.

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11. 1972First McDonald’s kitchen installation

    Franke built and installed its first kitchen for McDonald’s in Munich, marking a significant step in quick-service restaurant foodservice systems.

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12. 1960Commercial Kitchens division formed

    Franke established a dedicated commercial-kitchen business as construction and foodservice demand expanded.

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13. 1955First foreign investment and workforce expansion

    Franke made its first foreign investment in Germany and reached approximately 500 employees.

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14. 1950Washroom and Sanitary Equipment division established

    Franke added a product group serving communal washrooms, WCs, and related sanitary installations.

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15. 1939Walter Franke assumes leadership

    Following Hermann Franke’s death, his son Walter took over the business.

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16. 1930Entry into sink manufacturing

    Franke began producing sink units, progressing from nickel alloys and Monel metal to stainless steel and welded smooth-surface construction.

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17. 1930Operations move to Aarburg

    The company built new facilities in Aarburg and relocated its employees there.

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18. 1911Hermann Franke establishes the company

    Hermann Franke founded a sheet-metal business in Rorschach, Switzerland.

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Mid-to-premium kitchen and foodservice systems brand focused on design, engineering, hygiene, durability, and integrated solutions.

• Residential kitchen systemsKitchen 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 sinksKitchen fixtures1930

  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 faucetsKitchen fixtures

  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 hoods and ventilationKitchen 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.

• Professional coffee systemsCoffee equipment

  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.

• Quick-service restaurant foodservice systemsCommercial foodservice1972

  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.

• Washroom and sanitary equipmentSanitary equipment1950

  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.

• 2026Acquire Røros MetallM&A

  Franke sought to expand its kitchen-hood capabilities and Nordic manufacturing presence within Home Solutions.

  What changed. 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.

  Source
• 2026Appoint Corrado Mura as Home Solutions CEOOther

  The leadership change followed Barbara Borra’s retirement after seven years in the role.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2019Recombine American foodservice businessesStrategy

  Franke reversed the 2016 separation of its American foodservice activities.

  What changed. 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.

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• 2016Separate the American foodservice activitiesStrategy

  Franke reorganized its American foodservice operation into two sister companies, Franke Foodservice Solutions and Franke Foodservice Supply.

  What changed. 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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• 2026Franke appoints Corrado Mura to lead Home Solutions

  Corrado Mura succeeded Barbara Borra as president and chief executive officer of Franke Home Solutions after Borra’s retirement. Mura previously served as the division’s vice president for EMEA.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2026Franke acquires Norwegian hood manufacturer Røros Metall

  Franke announced the acquisition of Røros Metall for an undisclosed amount, bringing the Norwegian kitchen-hood manufacturer into the Home Solutions division and strengthening the group’s Nordic manufacturing presence.

  M&A
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• 2019Franke Foodservice Systems Americas consolidates operating companies

  Franke merged Franke Foodservice Solutions and Franke Foodservice Supply back into a single Franke Foodservice Systems Americas business after the two sister companies had been separated in 2016.

  Other
  Source

1. Franke (company)
2. FRANKE official website
3. Reported group turnover reaches CHF 2.557 billion