German Doner Kebab has joined forces with one of the UK’s top franchisees to build more restaurants.
Atul Pathak, OBE, was formerly the UK’s largest McDonald’s franchisee, with 43 restaurants throughout the country.
However he has now announced a partnership with German Doner Kebab after selling his McDonald’s portfolio, which he built up during the past two decades.
Pathak’s development plans include up to 30 sites, 10 of which are set to be delivered by 2023 across the South of England.
“After nearly 20 years with McDonald's, I decided to sell my business and explore new opportunities that reflected the changes we are seeing amongst Gen Z and Millennial consumers,“ commented Pathak.
“I felt it was time for a new challenge and when the opportunity to partner with German Doner Kebab arose it was a perfect fit for our new ambitions.“
The partnership comes as German Doner Kebab opens its 100th UK restaurant and forges ahead with plans to open 78 new restaurants in the UK during 2022, building on the 39 opened during 2021.
Now employing more than 4,000 people throughout the country, the brand boasts a development pipeline of more than 400 restaurants during the next seven years. Total UK sales were also up 75% in 2021.
Imran Sayeed, chief executive of German Doner Kebab, said: “The arrival of Atul Pathak is a significant moment for German Doner Kebab as we build the fast-casual brand of the future.
“Atul’s experience in Drive-Thru will also be invaluable as we explore more and develop new formats and concepts for the brand.”
Based in Glasgow, German Doner Kebab has grown at pace in the UK, Sweden and the Middle East and now expanding in the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia and across other parts of Europe.
Plans for 2022 are in place to open 11 new restaurants in North America and its first restaurant in Riyadh via master fanchisee Ajlan Bin Ajlan Group.
German Doner Kebab is owned by the Hero Brands group, whose portfolio also includes Island Poké, Choppaluna, XIX Vodka and Virtual Hero.
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