Unexpected departure of the Block Group's lead executive
In a surprising turn of events, Carsten Horn, the CEO of The Block Group, has announced his departure from the family-owned company after just over six months at the helm. Horn took over from Stephan von Burow in February, but disagreements with the founder and shareholder, 84-year-old Eugen Block, over his restructuring plans reportedly led to his departure.
The Block Group, which operates 68 restaurants primarily in Germany but also in Spanish, Portuguese, and Austrian tourist hotspots, has been facing challenging conditions in the gastronomy sector due to strong cost increases. Despite these difficulties, the company's gastronomy division generated 185 million euros in 2024, a decrease of 500,000 euros compared to the previous year.
The Block Group is a diverse conglomerate, encompassing businesses such as a burger chain, a butcher shop, a logistics center, a fish restaurant with a hotel, a brewery, and a retail division for Block House products. The first "Block House" restaurant was opened by Block in Hamburg in 1968, introducing system gastronomy to Germany. One of the company's most notable assets is the luxury hotel Elysee in Hamburg.
With Horn's departure, the gastronomy division of The Block Group is now led by a team of three managing directors: Michael Kafka, Heinz Kramer, and Julian Pfitzner. The search for a new CEO is ongoing, and as of now, there is no confirmed update or news on any CEO change or leadership plans at The Block Group.
The trial against Eugen Block's daughter, Christina, may have contributed to the reorganization of the company. However, the details of this trial are not publicly available. The Block Group is a family-owned company that consists of 18 companies, and it achieved a turnover of almost 500 million euros last year.
Prior to his role at The Block Group, Horn held leadership positions at Nordsee restaurant chain, Cinemax cinema chain, Tchibo, and Blume 2000. The Block Group is currently managed by external managers, with Eugen Block still having the final say in the family business.
For the most accurate and timely information on The Block Group, we recommend checking their official communications or industry-specific news outlets.
The restructuring plans of The Block Group, a family-owned company with a diverse business portfolio involving community-centered establishments like restaurants, a burger chain, a butcher shop, and a brewery, are currently underway due to the challenging conditions in the food and drink industry. This business overhaul, potentially influenced by financial aspects and the broader business landscape, comes amidst the departure of its CEO, Carsten Horn, and the ongoing search for his successor.
