--- title: "German Doner Kebab Unwraps Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Expansion Plans" url: https://burnaze.com/article/b5c28367-dbd9-4bff-bb0f-b60d5a509cb7 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20200127_german_doner_kebab_unwraps_greater_toronto_area_gt.html category: "Retail" industry: "Retail" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2020-01-27T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T04:09:09.002Z image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507679799987-c73779587ccf?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop --- # German Doner Kebab Unwraps Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Expansion Plans **TL;DR:** German Doner Kebab is expanding to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in June 2020, with plans to open its first outlet in partnership with a multi-branded franchisee. The brand is also expanding to Vancouver and Ottawa, and has a development pipeline of 350 franchise units in place over the next seven years. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2020-01-27. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20200127_german_doner_kebab_unwraps_greater_toronto_area_gt.html).* ## Key facts - German Doner Kebab expands to GTA - 38 UK restaurants opened in 2 years - 50% like-for-like sales growth ## Story ## Gta expansion plans In partnership with an established multi-branded franchisee, the innovative Scottish-headquartered restaurant business will open its first GTA outlet in June 2020. The GTA growth has been announced as German Doner Kebab also forges ahead with plans in Vancouver and Ottawa. The brand’s expansion into North America also continues in the USA, with an expected three store openings by mid-2020. German Doner Kebab’s North American plans follow a period of relentless UK growth which has propelled the innovative fast-casual brand to one of the nation’s fastest growing chains. ## UK growth and sales GDK has opened 38 restaurants in the UK over the past two years and has a development pipeline of 350 franchise units in place over the next seven years. That success has been mirrored in the latest franchise sales trend that reflected a like for like sales growth of approximately 50% over the past year. Nigel Belton, Managing Director for GDK North America, said: “We are extremely excited to press ahead with our significant growth plans that will allow the brand to develop a footprint of strategic restaurant locations throughout North America. We have already signed up five franchisees with a development pipeline of 75 stores. “The GTA is an area of diversity and we can’t wait to put our plans into action. First impressions are vital, and we will stop at nothing to ensure GDK North America quickly becomes the household name that is already loved by our loyal legion of customers throughout Europe and the Middle East.” German Doner Kebab’s unique dining experience is sure to appeal to the next generation of Canadian customers, who will love the new restaurant’s slick appearance and a great-tasting high-quality product range. A packed menu ensures consumers throughout the GTA will be blown away by GDK’s wide range of healthy kebabs and mouth-watering sides, including flaming fries, doner nachos and doner spring rolls. ## Global brand recognition German Doner Kebab has already proven to be a hit in the UK and its spot as one of the nation’s much-loved and most-exciting brands was confirmed having been named the number one place to eat in London by TripAdvisor. The German Doner Kebab franchise business currently employs 500 people within the UK and also operates franchised stores in Sweden, Dubai, Abu-Dhabi, Oman and Bahrain. German Doner Kebab has also recently announced plans to open 40 new restaurants in Ireland, while expansion plans are also in place for Saudi Arabia. German Doner Kebab is a fast-casual brand that has created a healthy and nutritionally balanced approach to traditional kebabs. The first store opened in Berlin in 1989 and the next decade was spent perfecting the policies and procedures, the unique blend of traditional spices and exclusive products, as well as refining and improving their innovative cooking processes. The kebabs are made from quality ingredients that are exclusive to German Doner Kebab Restaurants. The great taste comes from the SECRET SAUCES that set our products apart, from our competitors. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, the company is going through a rapid expansion across the globe. The company currently has presence in UK, Sweden, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and soon USA and Canada. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Retail (sector) - menu pricing (topic) - franchise sales (topic) - German Doner Kebab (company) - TripAdvisor (company) - north american expansion (topic) - uk growth (topic) - GTA (location) - gta expansion (topic) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20200127_german_doner_kebab_unwraps_greater_toronto_area_gt.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/b5c28367-dbd9-4bff-bb0f-b60d5a509cb7).