A passion for fish
When Adolf Vinnen, Paul Barckhan, Wilhelm Oelze and Johann Friedrich Lampe signed our founding protocol in the early hours of 23 April 1896, thus establishing the ‘Deutsche Dampffischerei-Gesellschaft NORDSEE’, the far-sighted Hanseatic men embarked on an adventure: starting with 16 trawlers, the aim was to bring the best of the seas to plates all over the country.
In the same year, the first sales counter opened in Bremen. A year later, the company opened its own harbour. In 1930, thanks to further mergers, the foundations were laid for the company's own efficient fish industry. By 1955, the branch network had already grown to 250 locations, and with the launch of NORDSEE Quick Restaurants in 1965, NORDSEE showed a pioneering spirit and offered a completely new catering concept at the time. In 2014, the future of the brand took centre stage: NORDSEE initiated the strategic realignment of the company. The focus is on clear brand positioning between tradition, naturalness, freshness and innovation.
Even after more than 120 years, we stand for unwavering passion, respect and a pioneering spirit in dealing with fish as a foodstuff and its preparation. We are an inspiring and reliable expert in fish and are proud to offer it fresh and natural every day with great responsibility for the people to whom it means so much.
At a glance
Discover the milestones in our unique history here, from the founding of our own fleet of trawlers to today's harbour of pleasure!
1896 - the starting signal
On 23 April 1896, a group of Bremen shipowners and merchants founded the ‘Deutsche Dampffischerei-Gesellschaft NORDSEE’ on the initiative of Adolf Vinnen.
The company's own fishing fleet is launched with seven trawlers. In addition to consumers in the home region, the aim is also to supply people inland far from the coast with
inland are also to be supplied with high-quality fresh fish on a permanent basis. In the same year, the first sales counter opens in Bremen.
1897 - a harbour of its own
With a fleet that has already grown to 16 steamers, NORDSEE opens its own fishing port in Nordenham on 20 April 1897.
1926 - the year of mergers
The company merges with several deep-sea fishing companies on the Lower Weser and at the mouth of the Elbe.
The new company name is now ‘Deutsche Dampffischerei-Gesellschaft NORDSEE’. In the same year, NORDSEE takes up Greenland fishing.
1930 - a separate fishing industry
Thanks to further mergers, NORDSEE now operates almost half of all German fishing vessels.
The foundation stone is laid for the company's own efficient fishing industry.
1932 - proud workforce
Not only has the number of branches now risen to 128 shops in Germany, but the NORDSEE workforce is also constantly growing and already comprises 4,400 employees.
1939 - the Second World War
The outbreak of the Second World War halts the positive development, as the largest trawlers are requisitioned for the navy.
In Germany, air raids destroy numerous sales outlets and almost the entire central administration building complex.
1955 - Consolidation of the branch network
After NORDSEE has recovered from the damage caused by the Second World War, the company continues to push ahead with shop construction and
and creates a large number of exemplary fish speciality shops. There are now 2501 shops in Germany and 41 locations in Austria.
1965 - NORDSEE Quick - a high-flyer
With the opening of the first ‘Quick’ restaurant, NORDSEE launches a completely new catering concept in Germany at the time.
The resounding success leads to an explosion in the number of restaurants in the following years.
1974 - the 100th ‘Quick’ restaurant
A record year for NORDSEE: 16 new outlets in Germany and the opening of the 100th ‘Quick’ restaurant in Göttingen, which resembles a small folk festival.
1986 - Spin-off of the fishing fleet
The fishing fleet is hived off to the newly founded Fischfang-Union on 1 January and is therefore no longer part of NORDSEE's core business.
1994 - it goes on
In order to further expand its leading position within the industry, the business is reorganised at the end of the year:
The previously separate restaurant and retail divisions are brought together under a single management team
1996 - Happy Birthday NORDSEE
NORDSEE celebrates its centenary.
1998 - Concentration on catering and retail
At the beginning of the year, the wholesale company Deutsche See is sold. From now on, the NORDSEE Group concentrates on its catering and retail business.
Catering and retail business.
2001 - Fit for Future
The new apprenticeship programme initiated and co-designed by NORDSEE for specialists in system catering bears fruit.
The first trainees successfully complete their examinations. NORDSEE receives the training Oscar for the creation of the new job profile.
2014 - Strategic realignment of the brand
Based on a large-scale market study and internal analyses, NORDSEE initiates the realignment of the company.
The focus is on the new brand positioning between tradition, naturalness and innovation.
2015 - ‘We are fish.’
NORDSEE has been supplying people throughout Germany and Austria with fresh fish and delicious fish products for 119 years.
Because that is our mission. Fish is the way it should be - natural and fresh. The image campaign of the same name ‘We are fish.’ was launched in August 2015.