Our History
It all began in a pharmacy in 1891.
A pioneer of his time
The history of Dr. Oetker began in January 1891, when company founder Dr. August Oetker fulfilled a lifelong dream by acquiring the Aschoff'sche pharmacy in Bielefeld, Germany. What he developed here through persistent research revolutionized baking and made the preparation of food and pastries much easier. More than 130 years later, the small pharmacy has grown into a global family business whose international activities now account for more than half of total sales.
“Once I reach my goal of owning a pharmacy, I will strive to create something truly special.” – Company founder Dr. August Oetker
“Once I reach my goal of owning a pharmacy, I will strive to create something truly special.” – Company founder Dr. August Oetker
A journey through our product history
Our products are the basis for Dr. Oetker's success. We are known for pizza, cakes, and desserts – and have been for 130 years. Come with us on a journey through our product history.
Our success story
Would you like to learn more about our history? About our development and what distinguishes us as a family business? Then this way.
Dr. August Oetker fulfills his dream and takes over a pharmacy in Bielefeld.
August Oetker develops a cutting-edge baking powder and names it Backin. One packet of Backin is the exact amount of baking powder needed for one pound (500 gr) of flour.
An assortment of products quickly emerges. August Oetker introduces vanillin sugar, pudding powder, preserving aids, and jelly onto the market.
The silhouette of a woman’s head was registered as the new Dr. Oetker trademark. Prior to this, a glass with foaming carbon dioxide was used as the company’s logo. The silhouette, which is still featured in the logo today, depicts the logo designer's daughter, Johanna Kind.
The huge success requires a move to a new location. The construction of the first factory marks the beginning of the industrial-scale production phase at Dr. Oetker.
Dr. Oetker has long been known for inventive advertising. As one of the first companies in the industry, an in-house marketing department is set up.
The first foreign subsidiary is founded in Baden near Vienna, Austria. Before this, products and recipe booklets were already being exported to other European countries.
The impressive “pudding powder building” is built on the company premises in Bielefeld. The building served as a production site for over 90 years and became the largest of its kind in continental Europe.
Caroline Oetker, the founder's widow, took charge of the company after her husband's death. In 1921, she handed over the company's management to Dr. Richard Kaselowsky, a childhood friend of her late son Dr. Rudolf Oetker.
Following the First World War, a second factory abroad begins production. Products are manufactured in Strasbourg, France, and sold under the Dr. Oetker and Ancel brands. In 1921, another plant opened in Gdansk, Poland, and 1924 in Budapest, Hungary.
“Ein Retter in der Not” (A savior in times of need) premieres in German cinemas. It is one of the first commercial films in Germany.
The recipe book “Backen macht Freude” (the joy of baking) is published for the first time. It becomes one of the most successful cooking and baking books of the 20th century.
By the end of the 1920s, there are foreign representatives and manufacturing plants in Sweden, England, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and the USA. By the mid-1930s, Dr. Oetker is active across almost the entire European region and has a foothold overseas.
During the Weimar Republic, Dr. Oetker continues to expand its position as a leading manufacturer of nutritional products. From 1933 onwards, the company management seeks proximity to the Nazi regime, which among other things secures the supply of raw materials during the regime's autarky efforts. In 1937 the company receives an award as a National Socialist model company. The history of Dr. Oetker under National Socialism underwent a comprehensive review by an independent commission of historians from 2009 to 2013 and was presented to the public.
Richard Kaselowsky and his family are killed in a bombing raid on Bielefeld. His foster son Rudolf-August Oetker takes over the company management at age 28.
Rudolf-August Oetker further diversifies the company - his motto being: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!”. As a result, he creates the foundations for today’s Oetker Group.
Although Dr. Oetker has been active in Italy since 1933, native Italian speakers have difficulty pronouncing the name Oetker, which leads to the decision to rename the brand, first to “Cammeo” and later “cameo”. The new name refers to the shape of the Dr. Oetker logo, which resembles a piece of jewelry.
Dr. Oetker has been active in Brazil since 1927. In 1954, after modernizing the local factory, a new stock company is founded in Sao Paulo called “Cabeca Branca” (white head). Some of the most popular products are jelly dessert, tea, and nuts to this day.
At the beginning of the 1950s, “Frau Renate” is made the advertising face of Dr. Oetker. Hannelore Cremer plays her, and in 1956, Dr. Oetker's first-ever TV commercial airs on German television. Frau Renate is also featured on posters, recipe booklets, and advertisements.
Dr. Oetker enters the frozen food business with ANTA. A pioneering achievement on the German market. The first products include ice cream, vegetables, and fish. This venture leads to the establishment of Dr. Oetker Tiefkühlkost GmbH.
The first independent Dr. Oetker subsidiary in North America is established in Toronto. Until then, products manufactured in Germany had been sourced through local importers, but now the product range is quickly adapted to the specific preferences of Canadian consumers.
The Dr. Oetker Pizza alla Romana brings the taste of Italy to German homes and is a groundbreaking success.
Dr. Oetker launches a range of six cake baking mixes. Demand is so great that initially, production can hardly keep up.
Since 1972, the delight of pudding can be enjoyed straight from the fridge with fresh desserts. Jelly, wine-cream, and frappés are also among the products in the range.
Dr. H.C. August Oetker takes over the company's management from his father, Rudolf August Oetker.
Frozen pizza has evolved into an enormously important product range. Dr. Oetker meets the demand and opens its first company-owned pizza production plant in Wittlich, Germany. In 1992, another plant in Wittenburg, Germany is opened.
Muesli marks the start of another core product range. Over the years, other cereals are introduced.
In collaboration with the family-owned company “Piyale”, the production of Dr. Oetker articles is initiated in Turkey. The products are adapted to the tastes of Turkish consumers and become a great success.
With the economy opening, Dr. Oetker can resume their former business endeavors in the East. In St. Petersburg, two Dr. Oetker stores are launched in the city's historic center, with food outlets on Nevsky Prospekt – one of Russia's most famous streets.
Dr. Oetker takes on responsibility for the environment and society and publishes an environmental report for the first time.
A brand you can experience! This is what the creators of the Dr. Oetker Welt want to achieve. In the former pudding powder building, a hands-on experience for young and old is created. Visitors can learn about the history of Dr. Oetker, marvel at elaborate installations, and, of course, try the products.
Dr. Oetker has always been committed to social responsibility and embraces this responsibility. The partnership with SOS Children's Villages supports and promotes the youngest members of our society. Together, they make it possible for many children to live life in a family with strong positive values.
Although Dr. Oetker has been active in North America for a long time, a national subsidiary in the USA isn’t set up until 2009. As a result, the most important market on the continent is becoming a stronger focus of expansion efforts.
Richard Oetker takes over the Dr. Oetker management from his brother Dr.h.c. August Oetker, who takes on the role of Chairman of the Board of Dr. Oetker.
With the development of the new Country Division 3A, Dr. Oetker strengthens its activities on the Asian, African, and Australian continents. New companies are added in South Africa, India, Australia, and elsewhere.
The confectionery Coppenrath & Wiese joins the Dr. Oetker family. This leading European manufacturer of frozen cakes, pies, and pastries perfectly complements the existing portfolio of the Oetker Group’s Food Division.
With the acquisition of the D’Gari brand, Dr. Oetker enters a new market with over 129 million potential consumers. D’Gari is best known in Mexico for its colorful and creative jelly desserts.
The “4U” technology development center is opened on the site of the Wittenburg plant. Innovative technologies and manufacturing processes are developed and tested here, focusing primarily on dough-based products.
Dr. Oetker is 125 years old - that calls for a celebration! The spectacular anniversary is commemorated with an array of events.
Our research and development department moves into a new building at our headquarters (HQ) in Bielefeld. Here, state-of-the-art technologies and methods are used to develop the products of the future for the world markets.
Dr. Albert Christmann takes on the role of General Partner of Dr. August Oetker KG and Managing Director of Dr. Oetker. He is the first non-member of the shareholders to do so. Going forward, the company focuses more intensely on the strategic core product ranges of pizza, cakes, and desserts and continues to develop new, digital business models.
For the first time since its introduction in 1996, the popular alternative to “Crème Fraîche”, “Creme Vega”, is now 100% vegan and can bear the V-label. We have been steadily expanding our vegan range. Meanwhile, puddings, pizzas and snacks are now also available in vegan varieties.
With the acquisition of the leading brands Wilton (USA), Tag El Melouk (Egypt), Château Gâteaux (South Africa), and ALSA (France), Dr. Oetker continues to expand.
Dr. Oetker increases its stake in Internestor GmbH to 100% and now operates Europe's leading supplier of customized cakes.
The Dr. Oetker Sustainability Charter is adopted and published containing objectives and measures for consumers, employees, the environment, and society.
Our international brands
Dr. Oetker is an international brand that has had a presence abroad since the beginning of the 20th century. But how did this and its distinctive logo come about? And what do brands like cameo or Ancel have to do with Dr. Oetker? Find this and much more out here.
