NACE 56.3 – Beverage Serving Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 56.3 covers the operation of food service establishments, bars, cafés, beverage outlets and similar establishments whose main activity is the serving of beverages. In the context of public procurement, this group is primarily relevant through concession awards for food service operations in public facilities.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 56.3 cover?

NACE 56.3 (Beverage serving activities) classifies undertakings and self-employed persons running food service establishments, bars, cafés, discotheques or similar beverage outlets.

Group 56.3 within Section I (Accommodation and food service activities) and Division 56 contains a single class:

In public procurement law, NACE 56.3 becomes relevant where public owners — municipalities, cultural institutions, sports venues — award the food service operation in their properties to private operators. This is usually structured as a services concession.

Public Tenders: Activities under NACE 56.3

The award of food service concessions in public facilities is a distinct procurement area that is relevant for municipalities, cultural operations and sports venue managers alike.

Typical types of contract

• Stadium operation and sports events: Beverage and food service concessions for municipal stadiums, sports halls, swimming pools
• Cultural institutions: Café and bar operation in museums, theatres, concert halls, libraries in public ownership
• Trade fairs and congress centres: Food service concessions for public trade fairs and congress buildings
• Zoos and parks: Kiosks, beer gardens, excursion gastronomy in municipal parks and zoological gardens
• Government buildings: Café concessions in the foyers of ministries, courts, administrative buildings
• Transport infrastructure: Food service at airports, railway stations and ferry terminals in public ownership

Thresholds and procedure types

Services concessions for food service operations are subject to the Concession Procurement Ordinance (KonzVgV) and EU Directive 2014/23/EU above a total value of EUR 5,538,000 (threshold 2024/2025). Below this threshold, national rules and general principles apply (transparency, equal treatment). Small kiosks or short-term concessions often fall below the thresholds.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 56.3

Current tenders can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 56.3 relevant in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

Municipalities are, as owners of stadiums, swimming pools, parks, museums and cultural buildings, the most frequent contracting authorities. State and municipal museums, theatres and congress centres regularly tender food service concessions. Federal authorities and parliaments award cafeteria and restaurant operation in their buildings. Airport companies and rail operators in public ownership award extensive food service concessions.

Companies and bidders

Food service businesses seeking public concessions should consider the following:

• Commercial authorisation: Restaurant licence/notification under regional law, where applicable concession granting by the authority
• Economic capacity: Equity, credit ratings, guarantees for operating equipment
• References: Experience with comparable food service concessions in similar facilities
• Sustainability concept: With many public contracting authorities: evidence of regional/organic products, reusable concepts
• Concession fee: The concession fee offered to the grantor is a central award criterion

NACE 56.3 in context: Section I and Division 56

• NACE I – Accommodation and food service activities: Parent section covering all accommodation and food service activities
• NACE 56.1 – Restaurants and food service establishments: Stationary food service with meal offerings
• NACE 56.2 – Event catering and other food service activities: Catering, school catering, canteen operation
• NACE 55.1 – Hotels and similar accommodation: Accommodation with catering

Frequently asked questions about NACE 56.3 and public tenders

At what point must a food service concession be tendered?
Services concessions with a total value of more than EUR 5,538,000 must be tendered EU-wide under the KonzVgV. Below this threshold, national transparency obligations and the general prohibition on discrimination must be observed. Even small concessions should therefore be awarded transparently.

How is the concession value calculated for a food service concession?
The concession value corresponds to the estimated total turnover of the concessionaire during the term of the contract (excluding VAT). What is decisive is therefore not the concession fee but the entire expected turnover of the business.

Can a food service concession be extended indefinitely?
No. The KonzVgV requires an appropriate limitation on the term. Concessions with a term of more than five years require special justification (amortisation of investments). Automatic extension without a new procurement procedure is in principle not permitted.

What is the difference between a service contract and a concession for a food service operation?
With a service contract, the public contracting authority bears the economic risk and pays a fee. With a concession, the concessionaire bears the operating risk and earns its remuneration through its own turnover. In practice, the distinction must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.