German Doner Kebab to open 47 new restaurants in the UK by the end of this year

Fast casual brand German Doner Kebab has announced it is on track to open 47 new restaurants in the UK by the end of 2021, almost doubling its portfolio.

German Doner Kebab has seen UK total sales in 2020 increase 81% from the previous 12 months and opened 12 restaurants last year. Same-store sales for 2020 were also up 51% on 2019.

Key locations in the expansion will include Manchester, Newcastle, Blackburn, Huddersfield, Stockport, Stirling and additional sites in London and Glasgow. Rich Collie, who joined from Nando's as head of project management, will manage the build-out of the expansion plans.

German Doner Kebab employs 1,500 people in the UK, with a development pipeline of 350 franchise units over the next seven years.

The brand will forge ahead with international growth in 2021 with sites planned for Canada and US following the launch of its first restaurant in Ottawa. Further growth is also set to be announced for Ireland and Spain, as well as Saudi Arabia.

Chief executive Imran Sayeed said: "The next 12 months are going to be extremely exciting for German Doner Kebab as we expand our footprint and reach more consumers across the UK and our international growth regions."

He added: "We have developed strong franchise relationships in key global locations and we are now working closely with our partners to take forward development plans and bring the German Doner Kebab experience to new regions."

German Doner Kebab opened its first restaurant in Berlin in 1989. Based in Glasgow, the brand is owned by the Hero Brands group.