04.08.2025
What a memorable day: 38 years ago today, on August 4th, 1987, Josef and Ulrike Zotter founded their company, registered their business, and opened their first coffee house in Graz. They had gotten married quickly beforehand, as their daughter Julia was already on the way.
A young couple, at the beginning of their self-employment – with a lot of hope, enthusiasm, diligence and perhaps a little naivety, at the start of a shared future. There have been highs and lows over the past 38 years. One coffee house soon became four, loans were cheap and easy to obtain, and so, unfortunately, the company slid into bankruptcy in 1996. At that time, the company had to be downsized from four locations to one, from over 50 employees to two, and, of course, as much as possible had to be done by the couple themselves. Saving money wasn't just a good idea, it was a necessity.
When Josef Zotter thinks back to that time today, he particularly remembers that his father no longer dared to go to church because people were talking in a strange way. Bankruptcy has far-reaching consequences and the situation was very stressful. But the young family, now a family of four, did not give up. In 1999, they ventured a new start at Josef's parents' farm in Riegersburg, this time focusing entirely on chocolate. ‘I am still very grateful to my wife for not leaving me back then,’ says Josef Zotter. ‘We could have continued running our coffee house, but I was inspired by chocolate and wanted to devote myself much more intensively to this fascinating product.’ Today, 38 years later, there are five Zotters. Shortly after Julia was born, Michael joined the family, and a few years later Valerie completed the family's happiness.
All five of them are fascinated by chocolate, and even though Josef and Ulrike will slowly be retiring next year, they know that their business is in good hands with their children and will continue to support them with advice and active assistance. In addition to their children, they now also have a grandchild who, like all Zotters, loves chocolate. What could be better for entrepreneurs than to see the next generation continuing their parents' work with enthusiasm and excitement and carrying the company into the future together? 38 years of Zotter – ‘and still on the verge of a breakthrough!’ as Josef Zotter remarks with a smile.
