Vienna Capellans: 150 years sweetening Madrid

2023/10/20

• Two world wars , a civil war, two pandemics and countless recessions are some of the events that, throughout these years, the company has experienced, a true benchmark in the sector today.
• The iconic Madrid pastry shop , founded in 1873, has launched different actions that will take place throughout 2023 to celebrate this special date, among which a documentary titled “A story with a lot of bread” stands out.
• In addition, it will add new products to its menu, commemorative packaging and updated versions of its most representative desserts.

Vienna Capellanes , the traditional Madrid company specialized in artisan pastries, gourmet catering services and prepared dishes, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Founded in 1873 by D. Matías Lacasa, and a pioneer in the introduction of Vienna bread in Spain, Vienna Capellanes is also a precursor of French pastries, home delivery and catering services.

150 years full of history in innovation

Two world wars, a civil war, two pandemics and countless recessions are some of the events that the company has experienced, characterized by knowing how to adapt to the times and continue its activity and growth successfully.

On the centenary and a half since the beginning of its activity in the capital, the company celebrates this special date with the comprehensive renewal of its website and its own delivery App “My Vienna” ; limited editions of products; new dishes that will reinvent their menus, or commemorative packaging and reissues of their centuries-old desserts and sweets such as cream bartolillos, anise donuts, or mojicones.

In addition, the company is renewing its fleet of vans for other more efficient delivery vehicles, continuing with its environmental commitment. They have added a gas hybrid van and two electric hybrid vans to their fleet. They have also begun replacing supervisors and management vehicles with electric hybrids. With these measures, more than 20% of the company's fleet has the ECO label.

And to complete this celebration, Vienna Capellanes has produced a 12-chapter documentary about its 150 years of history, titled “A story with a lot of bread.” The first ones are now available on the emblematic brand's social networks ( chapter 1 and chapter 2).

All of these actions maintain the essence and quality that Vienna Capellanes has always offered, added to the culinary innovation and differentiation that is demanded in these times.

Family tradition and love for Madrid

Vienna Capellanes maintains the essence of a family business and was linked during its first stage to the Baroja family; At the end of the 19th century it was run by the writer Pío Baroja himself and his brother Ricardo, nephews of the founder. Later, in the first decade of the 20th century, it was acquired by Manuel Lence and, since then, it has remained under the management of this family, which now has four generations.

The first loaf of bread in Vienna was marketed in its original bakery 150 years ago, on January 30, 1873, in the company's first bakery located on Calle de la Misericordia 2, corner with Calle de Los Capellanes (currently Calle del Maestro Victoria) and received its name from the rooms that the Chaplains of the Convent of the Descalzas Reales had in the building.

“From this first product, and from this first bakery in Misericordia con Capellanes - which gave rise to our name -, the growth and consolidation of the company has been based on quality, product innovation, as well as careful and personalized attention,” says Antonio Lence, general director of Vienna Capellanes .

Current and future

Throughout all these years, Vienna Capellanes has managed to expand its business and currently has 26 establishments in Madrid , a central workshop in Alcorcón, almost 40 Vienna Corners in different companies, a Vienna Capellanes Cooking school for which it already More than 2,000 students have attended, weekly healthy food packs for home or office, its own delivery App, catering service for corporate or family events, and the Vienna Suites hotel, located very close to Plaza de España. Thus, the company has more than 450 employees who are part of this family that is living its 150 years of history.

“If there is one thing we are clear about at Vienna Capellanes - continues Antonio Lence - it is that our history is based on its people, those who have been part of this family and those who continue to make it possible that, with their work, we can take care of every detail, taking care and love in everything we do, without neglecting innovation and research in our craft.”

About Vienna Chaplains

Vienna Chaplains is a Madrid company that manufactures and markets, through its own points of sale, artisanal pastry products, healthy prepared dishes and gourmet catering.

It currently has 26 of its own establishments in Madrid, a workshop in Alcorcón, almost 40 Vienna Corners in different companies, a Cooking and Pastry School, the Vienna Suites hotel, a catering service for corporate and family events; in addition to its own website and delivery App “My Vienna”, from which it also markets its products.

Vienna Capellanes was founded in 1873 by D. Matías Lacasa and later acquired by Manuel Lence. The management of the company continues to be carried out entirely by the Lence family more than 110 years later. Vienna Capellanes is synonymous with quality, tradition, ability to adapt to change and passion for its clients.