German Doner Kebab appoints former Nando’s employee as head of project management

Rich Collie will be responsible for delivery of new restaurant fit-outs and maintaining relationships with multi-unit franchise partners

German Doner Kebab has appointed Rich Collie as head of project management to support its ambitious growth strategy.

He has 18 years’ experience in the UK leisure and hospitality industry. For the last eight years Rich has worked with Nando’s during its busiest period of growth.

At GDK, he will be responsible for the delivery of new restaurant fit-outs, liaising with contractors and consultants to maintain brand standards and ensure launch schedules remain on track.

Rich will also build and maintain close relationships with German Doner Kebab’s multi-unit franchise partners as they grow their respective restaurant portfolios.

He says: “It’s very exciting to be joining German Doner Kebab as it enters a new period of growth.

“The brand has disrupted the fast-casual space in the UK and there is huge consumer demand throughout the country.

“GDK’s growth ambitions are second to none and I look forward to contributing to the success of the business as it matures and brings the German Doner Kebab experience to even more people across the UK.”

GDK has 70 restaurants in the UK, Europe and Middle East and is rapidly expanding in the USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Ireland.

Recently the company announced it was on course to open 12 new restaurants in the UK by the end of 2020, creating in the region of 480 new jobs.

The brand also plans to open 40 restaurants during 2021 and boasts a development pipeline of 350 franchise units over the next seven years.

Imran Sayeed, German Doner Kebab CEO, says: “We’re excited to be bringing Rich into the German Doner Kebab family, as we maintain our mission of building the fast-casual brand of the future.

“We are currently building further momentum in our plans for growth and have developed a strong growth pipeline with some of the UK’s most established franchise entrepreneurs.

“Rich strengthens our team and will be a key asset for us as we expand our restaurant footprint and develop the relationships with our multi-unit franchise partners and forge ahead with our ambitions for growth.”