The Heart of Fonzies: Inside Mondelēz's Donauwörth Plant with Director Gabriele Dodel-Gerung

Monday, November 10, 2025

Tell us something about yourself and your journey at Mondelēz International.

My name is Gabriele (Gabi) Dodel-Gerung, and I’ve been working at Mondelēz International for over 30 years. Currently, I have been the Plant Director at the Donauwörth plant in Bavaria since 2022.

I secured my first position in the Munich Research & Development (R&D) site in 1986. I just returned from Brigham Young University in the United States and started the Chromatography lab within Analytical Chemistry. In between, I spent one year in a medical lab, and I was so happy to work in a multi-cultural English-speaking environment, and I grew through various roles at this R&D site.

Throughout my journey at Mondelēz, I had leaders who appreciated my consistent efforts and believed in my ability to create, bring people together, and ultimately lead. Every step of my journey shapes my principles and values as Plant Director today.

In the dynamic landscape of a large corporation, my plans were unexpectedly altered. Though initially difficult to accept, this change propelled me beyond my comfort zone, a transition I now recognize as essential. My new plans resulted in me undertaking further study in quality and auditing, which soon brought me to the role of Quality Manager in Donauwörth. This was my first position in a production plant — and the elevator I needed to serve as Plant Director today.

Tell us more about the Donauwörth Plant that you are currently leading.

Together with over 100 employees, our Donauwörth plant produces savoury snacks, with a total output of around one million bags per day. We’ve been crafting our maize-based, dried-not-fried snacks specifically for the Italian market since 1978, and we will soon be expanding to the French market.

At the heart of our portfolio is Fonzies — a beloved snack that you’ll find in almost every Italian bar and is being enjoyed on the go throughout the country. Over the decades, Fonzies have become more than just a snack; they’re a true cultural icon in Italy. Since 2022, this success story has expanded across borders in several European markets.

For the French market, we produce Belin Croustilles in strong-tasting flavours of Emmental and Peanut. In France, Croustilles are enjoyed at dinner parties with family and friends and fit perfectly with an aperitive.

One of our lines, which was adapted and expanded in 2021, produces multi-shape products in the form of rings and stars. On this line we produce the Cipster Flake, which contains lentils and chickpeas. This product rounds off our portfolio with a wellbeing alternative.

What do you like most about working in the Donauwörth Plant? What makes it unique?

Many of our colleagues — representing a wide range of cultures and backgrounds — have been with us for 20, 30, and in some cases even 40 years, which is truly extraordinary. Deep knowledge, extensive experience, and ingrained intuition are ingrained in the fabric of our team.

Our plant is deeply embedded in the local community of Donauwörth, making it easy to connect with, talk to, and build meaningful relationships across all teams. One of the things I value most is seeing the direct impact of our work: a shared team effort that translates immediately into tangible, measurable results as products leave the production line.

What is your biggest motivation as a Plant Director?

What genuinely motivates me is the thought I sometimes have: maybe I have a different way of doing things, but it works. I lead with an approach that prioritizes teamwork and mutual contribution in problem-solving.

What motivates me is to serve as a role model to other leaders and do so in a company that supports change.

Do it, and don’t be scared to do it differently.

How would you describe the working environment and people culture at the plant and at Mondelēz International?

We are the proud home of Fonzies – our plant is well-known throughout the region for producing this snack, which we create together every single day. We are the “Fonzianer”, and we are proud of what we do.

Our team reflects an equal balance of men and women – a ratio also mirrored in our leadership team. To me, Mondelēz International understands how to leverage the power of bringing together different perspectives from all walks of life.

As a leader, the company provides a framework for me to translate this approach on a plant level. I make it a priority to ensure that excellence is recognized and rewarded — and that the rooftop of the elevator is open to everyone, regardless of gender, formal education, sexual orientation, cultural background, or physical ability.

What truly defines us is our strength in collaboration and the curiosity to learn: we support one another with complementary skills, a shared sense of purpose, and a commitment to solving problems together.