Franchising

German Doner Kebab opens inside American Dream

Provided

August 26, 2021

German Doner Kebab opened at American Dream, an entertainment, retail and dining destination comprising more than 3 million square feet in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

"We are excited to officially open our first U.S. restaurant at American Dream," Nigel Belton, managing director of German Doner Kebab North America, said in a company press release. "The U.S. offers a huge opportunity for GDK, and it is our hope to replicate the roaring success German Doner Kebab has seen across Europe and Canada, offering a fast casual concept that is responding to the needs of Generation Z. "

The American Dream location is an important step in the chain's U.S. and Canada growth plan. Last year, GDK opened two restaurants in Canada and added a flagship earlier this month in downtown Toronto. Plans include adding 100 restaurants in Canada over the next 10 years as well as 10 units next year in New York, New Jersey and Houston.

"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 GDK's American Dream Franchisee Yunus Shahul, who also owns Cousins Maine Lobsters in New York and Connecticut. "I have no doubt that German Doner Kebab is going to be a huge hit, and I'm excited to have opened 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."

German Doner Kebab, which opened in 1989 in Berlin, has over 70 restaurants across the globe. Its expansion plans also include the U.K., Sweden and the Middle East.