Stakeholder Engagement

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires stakeholder engagement as part of the materiality assessment. Hesburger’s stakeholder engagement was carried out through interviews and a survey in autumn 2024. The purpose was to identify the expectations of both internal and external stakeholders regarding Hesburger’s responsibility, as well as its sustainability reporting and communications. The survey also sought stakeholder ideas for developing responsibility further. The survey and interviews were conducted by Greenstep on behalf of Hesburger.

Structure of the Interviews and Survey

The interviews included 17 questions divided into five sections: background information, environment, people and society, good governance, and Hesburger’s responsibility. The stakeholder survey was divided into environmental, social, and governance (ESG) categories. Each sustainability factor was rated on a scale of 1–4 (not material – highly material). The survey was available in six languages: Finnish, English, Swedish, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian. Responses were anonymous.

The sustainability factors covered in both the interviews and the survey were based on sustainability reporting standards (ESRS) and were supplemented with sector-specific aspects, such as animal welfare, product safety, and the share of plant-based products in the menu.

Summary of the Interviews

• 12 interviewees
• Key environmental topics (E): climate change mitigation, waste, circular economy, and environmental impacts of products and services.
• Key social responsibility topics (S): working conditions/in-house staff, product safety, and human rights in the supply chain.
• Key governance topics (G): corporate culture/ethical practices, risk management, and cooperation with suppliers and partners.
• Social responsibility (S) was considered the most material factor.
• Hesburger’s responsibility efforts were rated 3 (good) on a scale of 1–4.

Summary of the Survey

• Number of respondents: 3,843 in total. Largest respondent groups: customers (3,186) and employees (605).
• Key environmental topics (E): waste, water emissions, and the origin of raw materials and ingredients.
• Key social responsibility topics (S): product safety, working conditions for in-house staff, and human rights in the supply chain.
• Key governance topics (G): anti-corruption and anti-bribery, corporate culture/ethical practices, as well as whistleblowing and whistleblower protection.
• Social responsibility (S) was considered the most material factor.
• Hesburger’s responsibility efforts were rated 3.09 (good) on a scale of 1–4.