The Hero Brands-owned concept, German Doner Kebab, plans to build 78 new locations across the U.K. in 2022, in an attempt to almost double the brand’s footprint across the country after opening 39 during 2021.
The 78 new locations should generate 2,900 new jobs. GDK has a further franchise development pipeline of 350 franchise units over the next seven years.
The kebab brand especially plans to build new locations in Leeds, Brighton, Portsmouth, Great Yarmouth, Aberdeen, Stoke and additional sites in London and Glasgow. Same-store sales were on the rise too in 2021, with a 75 per cent increase from the previous 12 months. 2021’s same-store sales were also up 27 per cent on 2020.
“2021 has proven to be a landmark year in the German Doner Kebab story however the next 12 months are going to be even bigger as we open 78 restaurants and double our U.K. portfolio.
“We have been extremely agile during the Pandemic, listening to the needs of our customers and responding to the huge demand for our game-changing kebabs,” said Imran Sayeed, CEO of German Doner Kebab.
“This has enabled us to build greater levels of brand awareness and customer loyalty as we bring the German Doner Kebab experience to more cities and towns throughout the U.K.
“We are now looking forward to building on this wave of momentum as we develop the fast-casual brand of the future and bring a fresh and exciting alternative to the Gen Z and millennial audience.”
Plans for international growth have been laid too, with 11 new locations set to open in North America and the brand’s first in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2022. The Ajlan Bin Ajlan Group has signed on as a master franchisee in Saudi Arabia, agreeing to develop 100 restaurants over the next five years.
