Formation

A 10-g Backin package (1902)

The company was founded by August Oetker in 1891. The first product developed was Backin, a measured amount of baking powder that, when mixed with 500 grams (18 oz) of flour and other ingredients, produced a cake.

First World War

Oetker's son Rudolf and his wife Ida had two children, Rudolf-August and Ursula; however, the senior Rudolf was later killed in the First World War. His widow Ida remarried Richard Kaselowsky, and they had four more children with Kaselowsky raising Rudolf-August and Ursula as his own. Kaselowsky became the manager of the company from 1920 to his death.

Second World War

During the 1930s and 1940s, Rudolf-August Oetker was an active member of the Waffen-SS of the Third Reich. The company supported the war effort by providing pudding mixes and munitions to German troops. The business used slave labour in some of its facilities. A bronze bust of Richard Kaselowsky still sits within the company headquarters in Bielefeld. Kaselowsky was killed during an air raid on Bielefeld in 1944.^[2]

International expansion

Rudolf August Oetker, the grandson of August Oetker, led the company between 1944 and 1981 when it achieved its highest growth. The Oetker family's private bank also employed as a director Rudolf von Ribbentrop (1921–2019), son of Joachim von Ribbentrop and Anna Elisabeth Henkell of the Wiesbaden wine family and, like Oetker, a wartime Waffen SS officer.^[3] The company expanded its presence internationally, acquiring many companies around the world. When Rudolf Oetker stepped down from his leadership position, the fourth generation of the Oetker family took over from him. The family ownership established the management principle that "the interests of the company have priority over those of the family".^[4]

August Oetker, the great-grandson of the founder, led the company from 1981 until 2010. Under his tenure, it expanded further in all areas, including shipping, food, and brewing.

Richard Oetker, August Oetker's brother, took over as CEO in 2010.

Australia

In January 2011, Dr. Oetker purchased the Australian frozen pizza business of Simplot, including the well-known brand Papa Giuseppi's.^[5] In 2015, Dr. Oetker acquired the Queensland brand Queen Fine Foods.

Brazil

In Brazil, the company has a site in São Paulo. The company supplies powdered desserts, frozen pizza, and teas. The company has been established in Brazil since 1954.

Canada

The company has its head office and factory in Mississauga, Ontario. In 1962, Dr. Oetker entered the Canadian market as Condima Imports Ltd. In 1992, it purchased the "Shirriff" line of products, which are made at the Mississauga plant. In 2003, the Condima name was dropped and the company started using the Dr. Oetker brand.^[6] In July 2011 Dr. Oetker announced the building of its first North American factory in London, Ontario, to make frozen pizzas made from Ontario produce and ingredients that will be shipped in Canada and the US.^[7] In August 2014, McCain Foods announced the sale of its North American frozen pizza business to Dr. Oetker. Through product placement on its packaging and through employee giving, the company supports the children's charity SOS Children's Villages Canada.^[8]

Denmark

In Denmark, a wide selection is available. Baking powder, frozen pizza, pudding, and cake decorations are sold in most supermarkets. The company has an office in Glostrup.

Estonia

In Estonia, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

Finland

In Finland, frozen pizzas, pudding, and cake decoration are available at supermarkets.

France

In France, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

India

In India, the company operates offices in Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi. Dr. Oetker sauces, spreads, dessert toppings, cake mixes and salad dressings can be found in all major grocery chains.^[9]

Italy

In Italy, Dr. Oetker operates under the brand Cameo. The Italian division was founded in Milan in 1933 as Oetker and then later moved to Desenzano del Garda, which continues until today. In 1953, the name is switched to Cammeo, a more Italian and easy-listening word, changed again for the last time in 1984 to Cameo.

Latvia

In Latvia various Dr. Oetker products are available, such as frozen pizzas, baking powders and dessert powders.

Lithuania

Many Dr. Oetker products are available, including frozen pizzas, baking powder, and gelatine, the latter in both unflavoured and dessert forms.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, Dr. Oetker was currently operated after the acquisition of Nona Foods. The previous ownership of Nona Foods was Toro Food Industries.^[10] Previously, Dr. Oetker was represented in Malaysia by Kart Food Industries, between 1998 and 2002, when the company was sold to Amtek Berhad.^[11]

Following the acquisition of Nona Foods, the local subsidiary of Dr. Oetker produces jelly mixes and seasoning flour, in addition to pizzas and baking preparations.

Namibia

In Namibia, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, frozen pizza, cake mixes, powdered desserts but also desserts like Wolkentoetje (pudding cups) can be found in all major grocery chains.

New Zealand

As with the purchase of Simplot Australia's frozen pizza business (see above), Dr. Oetker has been able to move into the New Zealand market.

Norway

In Norway, Dr. Oetker is the second-largest seller of frozen pizza with a market share of 16.5%. They also sell a range of baking powder and cake decorations.^[12]

Poland

In Poland, frozen pizzas, cake decorations, recipes with dry ingredients (the most popular one is "Kopiec kreta" with its own variations) and various powders themselves are available at markets and supermarkets.^[13] Dr. Oetker Polska was registered in April 2, 2001^[14] but earlier, Richard Kaselovsky made a branch of the company in 1922 in Gdańsk, Oliva.^[15]

Portugal

In Portugal, frozen pizzas and some other Dr. Oetker products are available at supermarkets and some small stores.

Romania

The company has been present in Romania since 1998, when it took over Regal Corporation. Four years later, it opened a production line near Curtea de Argeș, where the majority of the products sold in Romania are produced. In 2007 Dr. Oetker acquires the local brand Inedit (food soy products), in 2009 the local brand Adazia (food ingredients, food spices and egg-colour), in 2015 the local brand Alex (food ingredients, egg-colour, spices), and in 2016 the local brand Morarita (frozen pastry).

In 2018, Dr. Oetker was one of the biggest players in the food market in Romania (top 100).

Slovakia

In 1993, the company purchased a local factory Slovamyl in Boleráz, and took over its local brands Zlatý klas and BB puding.^[16] In March 2023, Dr. Oetker announced they will close the factory by mid-2023.^[17]

Spain

In Spain, frozen pizzas are available at supermarkets.

South Africa

In South Africa, frozen pizza products in many variants, frozen creamed spinach and other ready to eat frozen meals are available at supermarkets.

Sweden

Dr Oetker's offices in Gothenburg

In Sweden, Dr Oetker's baking soda, gelatin, and other baking items, as well as frozen pizza products, are available at supermarkets. The company has an office in Gothenburg.

Tunisia

In Tunisia, Dr. Oetker has a production facility, producing goods, such as baking ingredients, powder desserts and cake mixes for Tunisian market and exports to more than 15 African countries.

Turkey

In Pancar-Torbali, Izmir, Dr. Oetker has a production facility, producing goods such as frozen pizza, baking powder and cake mixes primarily for the Turkish market.^[18]

United Kingdom

Dr Oetker's offices in Leeds

In the United Kingdom, the company has sites in Leeds, Leyland and Sherburn-in-Elmet. They were a supplier of yogurt in the UK under the Onken brand name, which they no longer own. The company currently supplies frozen pizza, mostly under the Chicago Town and Ristorante brands. In 2007, Dr Oetker acquired the SuperCook range of cake ingredients and partially prepared cake mixes. This operation was expanded in 2017 with a new bake in the box cake mix range.^[19]

United States

In August 2014, McCain Foods announced the sale of its North American frozen pizza business, including Ellio's Pizza, to Dr. Oetker.^[20] In 2018, Dr. Oetker acquired the cake decorating and baking company Wilton.^[21] Wilton was founded in 1929 and was acquired by TowerBrook Capital Partners in 2009.