German Doner Kebab (GDK), one of the fastest growing quick service brands renowned for revolutionising the doner kebab, is thrilled to announce two significant senior leadership appointments.
Tommy Edmond joins the company as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), while Amit Pancholi steps into the role of UK Franchise Development Director. These key appointments come at a pivotal time for GDK, as the company prepares to open its 150th UK store in the coming months, continuing its ambitious growth trajectory.
Tommy Edmond brings over a decade of financial leadership experience to GDK, having held senior roles with some of the world’s most recognised companies. His 10 year run at McDonald’s UK & ROI, along with his leadership positions at McLaren Applied and Uptake Strategies, have honed his ability to deliver actionable financial insights and support rapid business growth.
Tommy expresses his excitement about joining GDK, stating, “I’m thrilled to be part of GDK at such a dynamic time. My experience with fast-paced, high-growth companies aligns perfectly with GDK’s ambitious plans. I look forward to working with the team and our franchise partners as we continue to build the world’s leading doner kebab brand.”
Amit Pancholi, an experienced QSR professional with a vast background in business development, property management, and franchising, joins GDK following leadership roles at Papa John’s, Domino’s Pizza, and other major brands. His comprehensive knowledge of the UK franchise markets will support GDK’s continued expansion. Amit’s expertise in store acquisition, development, and management of strategic franchise partners will be critical as GDK continues to grow its footprint.
Amit shares, “GDK is a brand with incredible potential, and I’m eager to contribute to its next phase of growth. With a strong foundation in place and a bold vision for the future, I look forward to driving the expansion strategy and bringing the GDK experience to more customers across the U.K.”
German Doner Kebab is set for a landmark year, with the imminent opening of its 150th UK store marking a significant milestone in the brand’s rapid expansion. In 2024, New Restaurant Openings are delivering sales more than 28% higher than the estate average, highlighting the increasing demand for GDK’s fresh, innovative and high-quality offerings. The brand has also made a notable entrance into the service station sector, opening its first location in Baldock.
GDK continues to push boundaries with its marketing strategies, recently launching the “Doners Worthy of the Daylight” campaign, which tackles the nation’s stereotypical perceptions of the kebab head-on. The brand continues to push the boundaries with innovative flavours and premium ingredients, solidifying its position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing restaurant brands.
In addition to marketing innovation, over the recent years GDK has introduced ground-breaking products designed to unlock incremental sales. These include the plant-based doner and a breakfast doner range all of which aim to widen the appeal of GDK’s menu and cater to evolving customer needs.
Simon Wallis, CEO of German Doner Kebab, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, stating, “We are delighted to welcome our new team members at this significant time for GDK. Their expertise will play a pivotal role as we continue in our mission to dominate the kebab category across the world and right here in the UK and further demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our team and increase support of our Franchise Partners, as they work hard to elevate the kebab eating experience one kebab done right at a time.“
