Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften

ZFV-Genossenschaft, historically known as Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften (Zurich Women's Association for Alcohol-Free Establishments), is a Swiss cooperative based in Zurich. Founded on 27 September 1894 by 15 civic-minded women under the name Frauenverein für Mässigkeit und Volkswohl, its original mission was to establish alcohol-free restaurants where people could enjoy coffee and healthy meals without the pressure to drink alcohol. The first president was Nanny Huber-Werdmüller, and Susanna Orelli-Rinderknecht was the driving force and first managing director. The association opened its first alcohol-free coffee house, 'Kleiner Marthahof', in December 1894, and quickly expanded into restaurants and hotels. By 1934 it operated 18 alcohol-free restaurants in Zurich. The cooperative kept the name Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften until 2002, gradually relaxing its strict alcohol ban; a 2001 statute change allowed alcohol to be served. Until 2000, ZFV operated exclusively in the Zurich area, then expanded across German-speaking Switzerland. Today, ZFV-Genossenschaft is a leading hospitality and catering group with over 220 establishments, including the Sorell hotel chain, restaurants, staff restaurants, cafeterias, canteens, catering services, a confectionery, and a bakery. It employs over 3,100 people of 91 nationalities, serves around 11 million meals annually, and provides over 2,000 childcare places. The group is organized as a cooperative and is not publicly listed.

The ZFV-Unternehmungen were founded on 27 September 1894 by Zurich civic women under the name Frauenverein für Mässigkeit und Volkswohl (Women's Association for Temperance and Public Welfare). The goal was to establish alcohol-free restaurants where people could linger without the pressure to drink alcohol and enjoy a coffee or a healthy meal. The first president was Nanny Huber-Werdmüller (1844–1911), and the driving force and first managing director was Susanna Orelli-Rinderknecht. In June 1894, a coffee hall bazaar generated the first revenues, and in December 1894 the first alcohol-free coffee house, 'Kleiner Marthahof', opened. In 1895, the association entered the restaurant business with the opening of the 'Rose' and 'Frohsinn' inns. In 1897, it entered the hotel industry by taking over the Hotel 'Rütli'. In 1898, the restaurant 'Karl der Grosse' joined the portfolio. In 1900, the alcohol-free people's and spa house Hotel Zürichberg on the Züriberg operated the very first self-service restaurant. In 1902, the 'Blauer Seidenhof' restaurant was added. By 1934, the women's association operated 18 alcohol-free restaurants in Zurich, including 'Blauer Seidenhof', 'Karl der Grosse', 'Olivenbaum', 'Freya', 'Sonnenblick', 'Wasserrad', 'Lettenhof', 'Platzpromenade', 'Rütli', 'Zur Limmat', 'Rose', 'Frohsinn', 'Lindenbaum', 'Kurhaus Zürichberg', 'Kurhaus Rigiblick', and 'Baumacker'. The cooperative retained the name Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften, which it had held since 1909, until 2002. Due to social and economic changes, the strict alcohol ban was gradually relaxed; after a statute change in 2001, alcoholic beverages could be served. Until 2000, ZFV operated exclusively in the Zurich area. Since then, it has expanded its radius and now operates throughout German-speaking Switzerland. In 2019, the group employed 2,771 people and generated a turnover of 285.3 million Swiss francs. As of the 2025 business report, ZFV has over 220 establishments, 3,123 employees (62% women), 13 Sorell Hotels & Restaurants, and serves around 11 million meals annually.

• Founded as Frauenverein für Mässigkeit und Volkswohl by 15 Zurich women.

• Coffee hall bazaar generates first revenues.

• Opening of the first alcohol-free coffee house 'Kleiner Marthahof'.

• Entry into gastronomy with the opening of the inns 'Rose' and 'Frohsinn'.

• Entry into hotel industry with the takeover of Hotel 'Rütli'.

• Restaurant 'Karl der Grosse' joins the portfolio.

• Hotel Zürichberg operates the first self-service restaurant.

• Restaurant 'Blauer Seidenhof' added.

• Name changed to Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften.

• Operated 18 alcohol-free restaurants in Zurich.

• Statute change allows serving of alcoholic beverages.

• Name Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften discontinued.

• Expansion beyond Zurich area begins.

A cooperative hospitality group combining responsible gastronomy, hotels, childcare, and partnerships to create meeting places that connect and inspire.

• Sorell Hotels

  Hotel chain with 17 hotels in various Swiss cities.

• Restaurants

  15 restaurants mainly in Zurich and Bern.

• Staff restaurants

  56 staff restaurants, including 10 for UBS and 24 for SBB.

• Cafeterias and canteens

  55 cafeterias and canteens, mainly in Zurich, including 11 for the University of Zurich.

• Museum gastronomy

  Operations in various Swiss museums.

• Stadium Letzigrund gastronomy

  One restaurant and 18 catering stands.

• Confiserie Schurter

  Traditional confectionery at Central in Zurich.

• Bäckerei und Konditorei Kleiner

  Traditional bakery and pastry shop with 12 branches.

• Parlamentsrestaurant Galerie des Alpes

  Restaurant in the Bundeshaus in Bern.

1. 1Startseite | ZFV-Genossenschaftzfv.ch
2. 2Unsere Geschichte | ZFV-Genossenschaftzfv.ch
3. 3Geschäftsbericht 2025 | ZFV-Genossenschaftzfv.ch
4. 4ZFV-Unternehmungen - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
5. 5Zürcher Frauenverein für alkoholfreie Wirtschaften - Wikidatawikidata.org