Four "Ahoi Steffen Henssler" Restaurants File for Bankruptcy
The operating company behind four locations of the franchise restaurant chain has filed for self-administration insolvency due to impending insolvency.
Four locations of the restaurant chain "Ahoi Steffen Henssler" have filed for self-administration insolvency due to impending insolvency, affecting approximately 80 employees. The operating company, Elbterrassen GmbH & Co. KG, based in Otterndorf, Lower Saxony, submitted the filing as the broader restaurant industry continues to struggle with rising operational costs and declining consumer spending.
The affected restaurants are located in Kiel, Marina Wendtorf on the Baltic Sea, Bonn, and Otterndorf in the Cuxhaven district. According to Martin Aye, managing director of Elbterrassen GmbH & Co. KG, the financial distress stems from "too high costs, too little revenue." The Cuxhaven District Court ordered preliminary security measures and appointed attorney Marc-André Borchert as the preliminary insolvency administrator.
Despite the financial proceedings, the preliminary administrator and legal representatives have offered reassurance to both staff and patrons. The restaurants remain fully open for business, and employees' salaries are secured through insolvency benefits. Attorney Nils Krause, representing the management team from the firm Ecovis, stated that no layoffs have occurred so far.
Legal and restructuring experts are actively evaluating the viability of each individual location. Krause noted that restructuring options are being assessed alongside discussions with the franchisor, Ahoi Franchise GmbH. Preliminary administrator Borchert expressed optimism regarding a potential turnaround, calling the Otterndorf location particularly grand and emphasizing the goal of preserving the gastronomy operations.
The broader franchise network has experienced several closures over recent months. Following the initial peak of twelve restaurants under the brand, locations in Cologne, Hildesheim, and Grömitz have closed since early 2025. Other outlets, including those in Hamburg, Scharbeutz, St. Peter-Ording, Travemünde, and Wismar, remain entirely unaffected by the current insolvency proceedings.
The restaurant chain was originally established in 2017 by celebrity chef Steffen Henssler and his brother Peter. Although the Henssler brothers sold their shares to the enterprise group of Bremen entrepreneur Theo Bührmann by early 2025, the prominent name and branding have been retained across the operating locations.