German Doner Kebab (GDK) -- the creator of the ‘German Engineered Doner Kebab’ -- is fast-becoming one of the big success stories in franchising. Launched in the UK by United Brands in 2016, it has already signed up around 200 franchise locations across England, Scotland and Wales, with some stores turning over in excess of £30,000 a week.
The UK success has been such that United Brands, recently announced it has purchased the worldwide rights to the GDK brand. United’s owners, the Sarwar family, operate one of Scotland’s most successful business groups. The £230m empire encompasses a wholesale cash and carry business, 532 franchised convenience stores, a chain of pubs, Asian restaurants and a pharmacy group.
GDK International is now seeking Master Franchise partners across the globe to build on its already impressive portfolio of around 60 global franchise stores in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah), Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Sweden and the UK.
The company’s UK management team has recently been enhanced with the appointment of a number of senior managers from leading global food and beverage franchise brands into key positions such as Operations Director and Director for Training, Store Development and Operational Excellence. In addition, the company is rolling out a brand new look and feel to the stores.
GDK was created in Germany in 1989, with the vision of creating classic, authentic and healthy kebabs, combining high quality produce with excellent customer service. A GDK kebab has less than half the calories of a regular kebab, as it only uses 100% lean, succulent, halal meat, along with handmade breads and signature sauces. The ingredients are supplied centrally from Germany to ensure consistent quality.
GDK International CEO, Imran Sayeed, explains: “We seriously believe in this brand, all of our UK stores are doing unbelievably well. So when the opportunity came up to buy the worldwide brand we had to take it. There is nothing else like GDK, it definitely offers a unique opportunity for serious investors. GDK is focused on quality, and is committed to changing people’s perception of the kebab. The fast food market is very competitive with a number of gourmet burger brands entering the sector however GDK brings in a new dimension to the kebab market by offering a quality fresh gourmet range which is also healthy… a kebab without the guilt.
Sayeed adds: “We are currently looking for ambitious master franchise partners worldwide, and its our aim to have 700 franchise stores open in the UK and Ireland over the next 10 years, and a further 1500 stores open worldwide in the same time-frame. GDK is a very simple franchise to operate as it does not require a qualified chef to prepare the meals, it’s more a case of assembling the ingredients…. the German Engineered Kebab. One million fans on our international Facebook page can’t be wrong!”
The GDK franchisee fee is £15,000, with the total investment required between £200,000 - £300,000 dependant on the condition of the unit and size. Locations must be capable of generating revenues of at least £15k a week which means locations must have a sufficient number of covers for dine in and space for takeaway (min 1000 sq ft).
For further details about investing in a GDK franchise please contact ben@germandonerkebab.com or visit www.germandonerkebab.com
