German Doner Kebab sparks American expansion with new location at American Dream

The global, fast casual kebab restaurant is set to open a location at the American Dream mall in New Jersey.

The American Dream-based location is slated to open in August. This represents the beginning of strong growth for GDK across North America after having successfully launched two locations in Surrey and Otawa, as well as a flagship location in downtown Toronto earlier this month.

“The U.S. offers a huge opportunity for GDK, and we are excited to be opening our first US restaurant at American Dream,” said Nigel Belton, managing director of German Doner Kebab North America.

“German Doner Kebab is exciting consumers across Europe and Canada, offering a fast-casual concept that is responding to the needs of Generation Z. We are now recognized as a top fast-casual brand of the future, and we are looking forward to bringing this German Doner Kebab experience to people visiting American Dream.”

Plans are being made to open a further 100 locations across Canada, with key American cities such as New York, Houston and New Jersey being factored into this period of growth.

GDK’s new location will be opened by experienced franchisee operator, Yunus Shahul who already operates two Sarvana Bhavan and Cousins Maine Lobster restaurants throughout New York and Connecticut.

“I am extremely excited to pursue a dream of mine, which is joining the GDK family as I have a personal love for the doner kebab,” said Shahul.

“I have no doubt that German Doner Kebab is going to be a huge hit, and I’m extremely excited to be opening the first restaurant in the U.S. American Dream gives us an iconic launchpad for the brand and we are very much looking forward to bringing a fresh, fast-casual offering to people visiting the complex.”

“Yunus is the perfect partner for us and brings a great track record in the fast-casual space that will be invaluable as we launch German Doner Kebab to US consumers,” said Belton.

After launching in Berlin in 1989, German Doner Kebab has grown to 70 locations worldwide, with 700 agreements in place with franchises to support this period of growth.