German Doner Kebab Explained

German Doner Kebab (GDK)
Industry:Fast casual kebab restaurant
Founded:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hq Location City:Glasgow, Scotland
Hq Location Country:United Kingdom (2017–)
Products:Kebab
Owner:Hero Brands (2017–)
Footnotes:[1]

German Doner Kebab (GDK) is a fast casual kebab chain, specialising in German doner kebabs, owned by Hero Brands since 2017. Tracing its heritage to a restaurant in Berlin, Germany in 1989, the first site opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2013, the company was purchased with a majority share in 2017 by the Sarwar family (Hero Brands) and moved its headquarters to Glasgow, Scotland.

The company operates more than 100 restaurants throughout the United Kingdom, Sweden, North America and the Middle East.

History and operations

The company is owned by with a majority share by Hero Brands, based in Glasgow, Scotland, which also owns Hawaiian food brand Island Poké and salad restaurant Choppaluna.[2]

, the chain operates in six countries; the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Canada, United States, and Saudi Arabia.[3]

The company can trace its heritage to a restaurant in Berlin, Germany in 1989.[4] [5] It developed its offering over the following decade, until Farshad Abbaszadeh launched the first "Doner Kebab" franchise in Dubai in 2013.[6] [7] It then opened its first UK restaurant in 2015, expanding to seven by the end of 2017.[8] In 2014, the franchise won the award "Best UAE Franchise Brand" at the 2014 MENAFA Excellence awards in Dubai.[9]

In 2016, while on holiday in Dubai, Athif Sarwar, came across the franchise and was later granted development rights to the franchise in the UK. Sarwar later purchased the international rights to the brand from Farshad Abbaszadeh, CEO and Founder of German Doner Kebab.[10] [11]

The chain was then bought by the Sarwar Family in 2017, which moved its headquarters to Glasgow, Scotland, in the United Kingdom.

In July 2022, Imran Sayeed, chief executive, expressed his desire for the company to be made public and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the following three to five years, as the chain sees North America as its "next growth engine".[12]

In March 2023, Simon Wallis was appointed chief executive replacing Imran Sayeed, with Robin Caley as chief development officer.[13]

United Kingdom

GDK's first store in the United Kingdom, was opened on 6 July 2015, on Bull Street in Birmingham, England.[14] [15]

In May 2019, it was estimated that the chain served £1 million worth of kebabs in its restaurants in the UK every week. GDK also announced their plan to open a new restaurant every two weeks for the remainder of 2019 as part of a "relentless UK growth" plan.[16] [17] [18]

In September 2019, GDK's Fulham Broadway site was classed as London's number one place to eat on Tripadvisor.[19] [20]

In October 2020, it had 47 restaurants, with hopes by the company to open a further 12 by the end of 2020.[21] In December 2020, its Peterborough new restaurant marked its 50th UK restaurant.[22]

In February 2021, the chain announced its plan to open 47 restaurants by the end of 2021 in the UK.[23] [24] It opened 39 new restaurants in the UK in 2021, adding to their pre-existing 52 restaurants at the start of 2021.[25] [26]

In February 2022, the company announced its plan to open 78 more restaurants in the UK in 2022, bringing their total to 170 restaurants in the UK. Adding 2,900 workers to their 3,500 workforce at the time in the UK.[27] [28] [29] [30]

The chain opened their 100th UK restaurant at their Covent Garden, London site on 10 May 2022.[31] [32]

In June 2022, Atul Pathak, former owner of the largest McDonald's franchise in the UK of 43 restaurants, announced a partnership with GDK, with 30 planned sites to be set up in the UK as part of the deal.[33] [34]

Middle East

In 2016, the chain had a location in Doha, Qatar.[35]

In 2018, the chain had 13 sites in the United Arab Emirates, with plans to expand to 55 units in 2020 announced at the time.[36]

In April 2019, the chain signed a new franchise deal to expand in Saudi Arabia. An agreement with Ajlan Bin Ajlan Group would lead to the potential development of 100 restaurants in Saudi Arabia over ten years.[37]

In 2021, the chain teamed with Emirati social media influencers to promote its product "Boss Box" in the UAE.[38]

Sweden

The chain arrived in Sweden in 2014.[39]

In July 2019, GDK announced their plains to add four more restaurants in Sweden during mid-2019, adding to their pre-existing five.

Proposals in Ireland

In 2019, the chain announced plans to open a restaurant in Dublin, Ireland,[40] with 40 total sites in Ireland planned from 2020.[41] [42]

As of 2024, no locations are stated to be present in the Republic of Ireland.

Canada

GDK opened two restaurants in Canada in 2020, at Ottawa and Surrey.[43]

In March 2021, GDK announced their ambitions to open 100 restaurants in Canada over 10 years. The company said they are seeking multi-unit franchise partners in Calgary, Montreal and more locations in Ottawa.[44] [45]

Its flagship location in Canada, opened in Toronto on 3 August 2021.[46]

United States

In May 2020, the company announced their plans to open 350 restaurants in the United States, with their first to be in New Jersey.[47] [48] As of October 2023, the company has since opened 9 restaurants within the USA. [49]

GDK opened their first US restaurant at American Dream in New Jersey in October 2021.[50] [51]

Products

In the UK, the chain uses beef and chicken meat imported from Germany to "maintain consistency and quality", with their waffle toasted bread also imported from Germany.[52] The chain stated in 2015, its meat is 100% Halal.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-03-02 . German Doner Kebab appoints global COO . 2022-09-08 . www.fastcasual.com . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030618/https://www.fastcasual.com/news/german-doner-kebab-appoints-global-coo/ . live.
  2. News: Evans . Peter . Kebab chain adds America to recipe for rapid growth . en . . 2022-09-07 . 0140-0460 . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030607/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kebab-chain-adds-america-to-recipe-for-rapid-growth-d0pbl5fmn . live.
  3. Web site: Locations – German Doner Kebab . www.germandonerkebab.com . 2022-09-08 . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030618/https://www.germandonerkebab.com/german-doner-kebab-store-locations?r=ed . live.
  4. Web site: About us – German Doner Kebab . www.germandonerkebab.com . 2022-09-08 . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030608/https://www.germandonerkebab.com/about-us . live.
  5. Web site: 2019-11-19 . German fast food chain set to open 40 locations around Ireland – Extra.ie . 2022-09-08 . en-GB . 2022-10-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007133225/https://extra.ie/2019/11/19/business/german-doner-kebab-irish-restaurants . live.
  6. News: Nicht in Berlin – Der Exorzismus der Umlaute . 2022-12-19 . Der Freitag . de . Schütte . Uwe . 2022-12-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219113020/https://www.freitag.de/autoren/usch/der-exorzismus-der-umlaute . live.
  7. Web site: German Doner Kebab . 2022-12-19 . platinumwave . en . 2022-12-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219113025/https://www.platinumwave.co.uk/german-doner-kebab . live.
  8. Web site: 2021-01-09 . German Doner Kebab's incredible success story. . 2022-09-08 . Aspioneer . en-US . 2024-06-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240605002825/https://aspioneer.com/german-doner-kebabs-incredible-success-story/ . live.
  9. News: Divecha . Devina . 26 October 2014 . German Doner Kebab named best UAE franchise brand . Hotelier Middle East . Hotelier . 8 September 2022 . 5 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240605002855/https://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/food-beverage/21965-german-doner-kebab-named-best-uae-franchise-brand . live.
  10. Web site: 2019-02-07 . Start a German Doner Kebab Franchise . 2022-12-19 . What Franchise . en . 2022-12-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219112450/https://www.what-franchise.com/franchise-opportunities/fast-food-franchises/german-doner-kebab-international . live.
  11. Web site: Doner Kebab. Designed for the modern consumer . WORLD FRANCHISE REVIEW . 2022-12-19 . 2024-06-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240605002825/http://www.worldfranchiseassociates.com/wfr/wfr5/h/assets/common/downloads/page0019.pdf . live.
  12. Web site: 2022-07-12 . German Doner Kebab owner eyes New York listing as chain swells quickly . 2022-09-08 . CityAM . en-GB . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030607/https://www.cityam.com/german-doner-kebab-owner-eyes-new-york-listing-as-chain-swells-quickly/ . live.
  13. Web site: Walker . Peter A. . 2023-03-27 . German Doner Kebab appoints new chief executive . 2024-01-29 . businessInsider . en . 2024-06-05 . https://archive.today/20240605003800/https://www.insider.co.uk/appointments/german-doner-kebab-appoints-new-29559766 . live.
  14. Web site: Beardsworth . Luke . 2015-07-01 . Healthy kebab? UK's first German Doner Kebab to open in Brum . 2022-09-07 . BirminghamLive . en . 2024-06-05 . https://archive.today/20240605003846/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/first-german-doner-kebab-birmingham-9564958 . live.
  15. Web site: 7 July 2016 . GDK Birmingham Celebrates 1st Anniversary . germandonerkebab.com . 22 October 2022 . 22 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221022162824/https://www.germandonerkebab.com/news/uk-news/gdk-birmingham-celebrates-1st-anniversary . live.
  16. Web site: German Doner Kebab Serves-Up £1m Of Kebabs Every Week . 2022-09-08 . Yorkshire Times . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030608/https://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/German-Doner-Kebab-ServesUp-1m-Of-Kebabs-Every-Week . live.
  17. Web site: bighospitality.co.uk . German Doner Kebab to pursue 'relentless UK growth' . 2022-09-08 . bighospitality.co.uk . 30 May 2019 . en-GB . 2022-08-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220808214229/https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2019/05/30/German-Doner-Kebab-to-pursue-relentless-UK-growth-plan . live.
  18. Web site: Kemp . Kenny . 2019-08-12 . Skewer dead brilliant… the Glasgow firm selling £1 million of kebabs a week . 2022-09-08 . businessInsider . en . 2024-06-05 . https://archive.today/20240605003830/https://www.insider.co.uk/news/skewer-dead-brilliant-glasgow-firm-18798588 . live.
  19. Web site: Prentis . Jamie . 2019-09-12 . UAE favourite German Doner Kebab chain voted London's best place to eat . 2022-09-08 . The National . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030617/https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/food/uae-favourite-german-doner-kebab-chain-voted-london-s-best-place-to-eat-1.909485 . live.
  20. Web site: London's number one place to eat has a restaurant right here in Reading . 2022-09-08 . Reading Chronicle . 13 September 2019 . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030608/https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/17900657.german-donor-kebab-named-londons-top-place-eat-one-reading/ . live.
  21. Web site: German Doner Kebab set to open 12 new restaurants in the UK by the end of 2020 Restaurant Industry Magazine . 2022-09-08 . en-US . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030608/https://restaurantindustry.co.uk/2020/10/19/german-doner-kebab-set-to-open-12-new-restaurants-in-the-uk-by-the-end-of-2020/ . live.
  22. Web site: 2020-12-18 . German Doner Kebab opens its 50th U.K. store . 2022-09-08 . Global Franchise . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030617/https://www.global-franchise.com/news/german-doner-kebab-opens-its-50th-uk-store . live.
  23. Web site: Saker-Clark . Henry . O'Neill . Christina . 2021-02-22 . Glasgow's German Doner Kebab eyes 47 new UK sites in 2021 . 2022-09-08 . GlasgowLive . en . 2024-06-05 . https://archive.today/20240605003921/https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/glasgow-chain-german-doner-kebab-19885257 . live.
  24. Web site: Glasgow German Doner Kebab restaurants to open 47 new sites Hiring intentions strongest north of the Border since onset of pandemic Which name supermarket of the year . 2022-09-08 . HeraldScotland . 22 February 2021 . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030617/https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/19108012.glasgow-german-doner-kebab-restaurants-open-47-new-sites-across-country/ . live.
  25. Web site: 2022-02-07 . German Doner Kebab set to open 78 restaurants this year . 2022-09-07 . ITV News . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030606/https://www.itv.com/news/2022-02-06/german-doner-kebab-set-to-open-78-restaurants-this-year . live.
  26. Web site: Ford . Coreena . 2021-02-22 . German Doner Kebab to open 47 new restaurants in 2021 . 2022-09-08 . Business Live . en . 2024-06-05 . https://archive.today/20240605003942/https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/german-doner-kebab-open-47-19886036 . live.
  27. Web site: 8 February 2022 . German Doner Kebab / UK: 78 new restaurants set to open in UK in 2022 . 2022-09-07 . food-service.de . en . 2024-06-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240605002827/https://www.food-service.de/international/int-news/german-doner-kebab--uk-78-new-restaurants-set-to-open-in-uk-in-2022-50727 . live.
  28. News: German Doner Kebab set to open 78 restaurants this year . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-09-08 . 0307-1235 . 2024-06-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240605003327/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/german-doner-kebab-set-to-open-78-restaurants-this-year/41319761.html . live.
  29. Web site: 2022-02-07 . German Doner Kebab set to open 78 restaurants this year . 2022-09-08 . The Independent . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030617/https://www.independent.co.uk/business/german-doner-kebab-set-to-open-78-restaurants-this-year-b2008937.html . live.
  30. Web site: Saker-Clark . Henry . 2022-02-07 . German Doner Kebab set to open 78 restaurants this year . 2022-09-08 . Evening Standard . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030604/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/german-portsmouth-aberdeen-stoke-great-yarmouth-b981056.html . live.
  31. Web site: Glover . John . 2022-05-09 . German Doner Kebab set to open 100th restaurant . 2022-09-08 . businessInsider . en . 2024-06-05 . https://archive.today/20240605004156/https://www.insider.co.uk/news/german-doner-kebab-set-open-26914697 . live.
  32. Web site: 2024-06-05 . Glasgow-based German Doner Kebab takes wraps off 100th outlet with more in store . 2022-09-08 . www.scotsman.com . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030621/https://www.scotsman.com/business/glasgow-based-german-doner-kebab-takes-wraps-off-100th-outlet-with-more-in-store-3685960 . live.
  33. Web site: Walker . Peter A. . 2022-06-15 . German Doner Kebab partners UK's largest McDonald's franchisee . 2022-09-08 . businessInsider . en . 2024-06-05 . https://archive.today/20240605004126/https://www.insider.co.uk/news/german-doner-kebab-partners-uks-27238987 . live.
  34. Web site: 2022-06-15 . Glasgow-based German Doner Kebab teams up with former McDonald's big cheese . 2022-09-08 . www.scotsman.com . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030618/https://www.scotsman.com/business/glasgow-based-german-doner-kebab-teams-up-with-former-mcdonalds-big-cheese-3732333 . live.
  35. Web site: Newspaper . The Peninsula . 2016-04-14 . German Doner Kebab outlet opens in Qatar . 2024-04-17 . thepeninsulaqatar.com . en . 2024-04-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417200733/https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/14/04/2016/German-Doner-Kebab-outlet-opens-in-Qatar . live.
  36. Web site: German Doner Kebab GDK (UK) visits Dubai to support its MENA regional expansion plans – with the help of Franchise Arabia – FranArabia . 2022-09-08 . franarabia.com . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030618/https://franarabia.com/news/show/german-doner-kebab-gdk-uk-visits-dubai-to-support-its-mena-regional-expansion-plans-with-the-help-of-franchise-arabia . live.
  37. Web site: 2019-04-01 . Glasgow's doner kebab brand to launch 100 sites in Saudi Arabia . 2022-09-08 . www.scotsman.com . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030604/https://www.scotsman.com/regions/glasgows-doner-kebab-brand-launch-100-sites-saudi-arabia-1420823 . live.
  38. News: 31 January 2021 . German Doner Kebab teams up with Emirati social media stars . Caterer Middle East . Caterer . 8 September 2022 . 8 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030607/https://www.caterermiddleeast.com/outlets/restaurants/86650-german-doner-kebab-teams-up-with-emirati-social-media-stars . live.
  39. Web site: 2019-07-01 . German Doner Kebab announces Sweden expansion plans . 2022-09-08 . Global Franchise . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030620/https://www.global-franchise.com/news/german-doner-kebab-announces-sweden-expansion-plans . live.
  40. Web site: Media . Insider . Kebab chain to open doors in Ireland . 2022-09-08 . Insider Media Ltd . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908032120/https://www.insidermedia.com/news/ireland/kebab-chain-to-open-doors-in-ireland . live.
  41. Web site: German Doner Kebab confirms Ireland expansion plans – Travel & Leisure Executive Search . 2022-09-08 . The MBS Group . en-GB . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030608/https://www.thembsgroup.co.uk/external/german-doner-kebab-confirms-ireland-expansion-plans/ . live.
  42. Web site: A massive international kebab chain is opening 40 new restaurants in Ireland . 2022-09-08 . Lovin.ie . 20 November 2019 . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030607/https://lovin.ie/food/an-massive-international-kebab-chain-is-opening-40-new-restaurants-in-ireland . live.
  43. Web site: 2021-03-31 . Toronto location leads ambitious Canadian growth for German Doner Kebab . 2022-09-08 . Canadian Business Franchise . en-US . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030618/https://www.franchiseinfo.ca/food-services/toronto-location-leads-ambitious-canadian-growth-for-german-doner-kebab/ . live.
  44. Web site: 2021-03-30 . German Doner Kebab expanding in Canada . 2022-09-08 . www.fastcasual.com . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030619/https://www.fastcasual.com/news/german-doner-kebab-expanding-in-canada/ . live.
  45. Web site: 2021-03-30 . German Doner Kebab planning for 100 new Canadian restaurants . 2022-09-08 . Global Franchise . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030629/https://www.global-franchise.com/news/german-doner-kebab-planning-for-100-new-canadian-restaurants . live.
  46. Web site: Staff Reporter . 2021-08-03 . German Doner Kebab opens Toronto restaurant . 2022-09-08 . QSRMedia UK . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030607/https://qsrmedia.co.uk/fast-casual/news/german-doner-kebab-opens-toronto-restaurant . live.
  47. Web site: 2020-05-06 . German Doner Kebab Plans to Open 350 Restaurants in U.S. . 2022-09-07 . Retail and Restaurant Facility Business . en-US . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030609/https://retailrestaurantfb.com/german-doner-kebab-plans-to-open-350-restaurants-in-u-s/ . live.
  48. Web site: Service . Total Food . 2020-06-23 . New Jersey Unit Set to Kickoff German Doner Kebab Expansion with Belton at Helm . 2022-09-08 . Total Food Service . en-US . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030617/https://totalfood.com/new-jersey-unit-set-to-kickoff-german-doner-kebab-expansion-with-belton-at-helm/ . live.
  49. Web site: German Doner Kebab Store Locations . German Doner Kebab . 25 October 2023 . 25 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231025235905/https://www.germandonerkebab.com/german-doner-kebab-store-locations/usa . live.
  50. Web site: 2021-08-09 . German Doner Kebab arriving in US this month . 2022-09-07 . www.fastcasual.com . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030606/https://www.fastcasual.com/news/german-doner-kebab-arriving-in-us-this-month/ . live.
  51. Web site: NJ.com . Jeremy Schneider NJ Advance Media For . 2021-10-16 . German fast food just debuted at this N.J. mall. It's wunderbar! . 2022-09-07 . nj . en . 2022-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908030607/https://www.nj.com/food/2021/10/german-fast-food-just-debuted-at-this-nj-mall-its-wunderbar.html . live.
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