Imran Sayeed, CEO GDK International (Left), and Omar Alhaza’a, Founder & CEO of Franchise Arabia
PRESS RELEASE
Dubai, UAE, 17th February 2018 – German Doner Kebab International, the leading global Doner Kebab brand, is visiting Dubai to proactively promote its brand to the market and meet with potential investors to explore opportunities further.
While in Dubai this week, Imran Sayeed, Group CEO of GDK International, met with Omar Alhaza’a, Founder & CEO of Franchise Arabia, GDK’s regional representative, to discuss the local & regional opportunities and GDKI’s growth strategy to increase the brand portfolio to 55 units in the UAE by 2020 from the current 13.
The brand will build on the exceptional month on month growth it has experienced in the UAE by opening a brand new flagship outlet in Dubai Silicon Oasis, followed closely by expansion across the Emirates.
The launch of GDKI’s new menu items a few months ago in the UK led to an uptick in transaction volumes, which the brand is looking forward to replicating when they launch them in the UAE during Q2 this year.
GDK is an international franchise phenomenon with 50 stores worldwide. The brand was established in Germany in 1989, with a vision to create classic, authentic and healthy succulent kebabs, combining high quality produce with world class customer service. The brand operates currently in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Pakistan, Egypt, Sweden and the UK.
"Following the success of our brand in UK & Sweden, we are excited to now focus our full attention on the MENA region, where the response to our brand has been very positive,” said Imran Sayeed, CEO GDK International. “Over the past 12 years we have built a successful business that is poised to aggressively grow into new markets – starting in the highly attractive Saudi Arabia & North America”.
Omar Alhaza’a, Founder & CEO of Franchise Arabia explains, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce and help grow GDK in the MENA Region. The brand is uniquely positioned, combining quality, impeccable service, consistency, and a successful track-record of over 12 years. GDK history of success in the United Kingdom gives us confidence that this partnership will provide the brand with a significant growth opportunity in the Middle East region and other global markets.”
The German Doner Kebab franchise was introduced to the UK and Ireland by United Brands who acquired the master franchise. The Sarwar family operates one of Scotland’s most successful business groups. The £350m empire encompasses a wholesale cash and carry business, 532 franchised Convenience Stores, Asian Restaurants and a Pharmacy Group as well as a Soft Play Centre and Bowling Alley.
GDK UK (United Brands) has already signed up over 230 franchise locations, with experienced franchise operators of other major franchise brands, 14 of which are now open and operating and 8 to open in next 6 weeks.
Along the way the business has grown and evolved into a sophisticated and profitable modern enterprise. In addition to the franchising business, Supply Chain operation was established in Dubai to support local & regional franchisees. The brand is based and headquartered in Scotland.
Today, with 50 stores across Europe, US, Sweden & the Middle East, the brand is working closely with the team at Franchise Arabia to expand its footprint in MENA markets and beyond.
Learn more about GDK here: http://franarabia.com/franchises/german-doner-kebab-gdk
For further details about investing in German Doner Kebab franchise please contact: info@franarabia.com
