German Doner Kebab has confirmed its position as the UK’s fastest-growing restaurant chain after announcing that it will open 78 new restaurants in the UK during 2022.
The plans will almost double the fast-casual brand’s UK footprint as it continues its mission of bringing the GDK experience to more cities and towns throughout the UK.
The ambitious growth strategy will build on the 39 restaurants that were opened during 2021 and will bring in the region of 2900 new jobs throughout the country.
Key new locations in the expansion will include Leeds, Brighton, Portsmouth, Great Yarmouth, Aberdeen, Stoke and additional sites in London and Glasgow.
The fast-casual brand of the future has also delivered a significant rise in UK total sales in 2021, up 75 per cent from the previous 12 months. Same-store sales for 2021 were also up 27 per cent on 2020.
German Doner Kebab is revolutionising the kebab in the UK, bringing a fresh, high-quality taste sensation that has made it the number one spot to enjoy a kebab.
Freshly prepared in front of customers, the game-changing kebabs are made using premium, lean, succulent meats and fresh local vegetables, served in handmade toasted breads with unique signature sauces.
Now employing over 3500 people in its restaurants throughout the country, the brand boasts a development pipeline of 350 franchise units over the next seven years.
Based in Glasgow, Scotland, the brand has grown at great pace in the UK, Sweden and Middle East and now rapidly expanding in the USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia and across other key locations in Europe, with over 80 restaurants worldwide.
CEO Imran Sayeed said, “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 UK 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.
“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 UK.
“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.”
German Doner Kebab will also forge ahead with international growth in 2022. Plans are in place to open 11 new restaurants in the North America and German Doner Kebab is also set to open its first restaurant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2022.
The Ajlan Bin Ajlan Group has been signed-up as the master-franchisee in Saudi Arabia, with a development agreement of 100 restaurants over the next five years. Further growth is also set to be announced for Ireland and Spain in Europe.
Sayeed continued, “The global demand reflects our position as one of the world’s most exciting fast-casual brands.
“We have developed strong franchise relationships in strategic global locations and we are now working closely with our partners to take forward development plans and expand our reach into new regions.”