Doner Kebab Outlet Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Doner Kebab Outlet serves a variety of kebabs and Middle Eastern dishes, offering flavorful and authentic cuisine in a casual setting.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

n.a.

Franchise fee

$30,000

Investment

$999,000 - $1,115,000

Revenue (AUV)

$1,491,000

n.a.

Doner Kebab Outlet, trading as German Doner Kebab (GDK), is a fast-casual kebab restaurant chain that reinvented traditional döner using premium lean meats, handmade waffle breads, fresh local produce, and signature sauces.

The first GDK store opened in Berlin in 1989 after years of recipe refinement. GDK’s U.S. parent company, GDK USA, Inc., was formed on September 12, 2017, and is based in Concord, Massachusetts. GDK International Ltd is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, where its global operations are managed.

Franchising began in 2017, with the first outlet launched in Dubai by founder Farshad Abbaszadeh. GDK introduced its UK franchise model in 2015, expanding rapidly into Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia.

GDK offers counter- and table-service doner wraps, kebab boxes, rice bowls, veggie options, and creative specials like “kebags” teamed with Doritos. What sets GDK apart are its open kitchens, premium lean meats, freshly made waffle breads, proprietary sauces, and tech innovations like robotic meat slicing that ensure consistency and speed.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Doner Kebab Outlet franchise is $999,000 - $1,115,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$30,000
Lease, Utility & Security Deposits	$25,000 - $30,000
Leasehold Improvements	$260,000 - $275,000
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing	$325,000 - $350,000
Signage	$35,000 - $40,000
Restaurant Equipment	$157,000 - $180,000
Hardware and Software	$27,500 - $30,000
Furniture & Fixtures	$15,500 - $20,000
Office Supplies & Misc.	$1,500 - $2,500
Business Licenses & Permits	$5,000
Professional Fees	$10,000
Insurance	$2,000 - $3,000
Initial Training	$5,000 - $10,000
Opening Inventory	$15,000 - $20,000
Pre-Launch, Soft Launch and Grand Opening Marketing	$10,000 - $15,000
Property Agent	$5,000 - $9,000
Architects and Project Manager Fees	$40,000 - $50,000
Additional Funds (Approx. 3 months)	$15,000 - $20,000
Small Wares	$15,000
Total for first Outlet	$998,500 - $1,114,500

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$30,000
Lease, Utility & Security Deposits	$25,000 - $30,000
Leasehold Improvements	$260,000 - $275,000
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing	$325,000 - $350,000
Signage	$35,000 - $40,000
Restaurant Equipment	$157,000 - $180,000
Hardware and Software	$27,500 - $30,000
Furniture & Fixtures	$15,500 - $20,000
Office Supplies & Misc.	$1,500 - $2,500
Business Licenses & Permits	$5,000
Professional Fees	$10,000
Insurance	$2,000 - $3,000
Initial Training	$5,000 - $10,000
Opening Inventory	$15,000 - $20,000
Pre-Launch, Soft Launch and Grand Opening Marketing	$10,000 - $15,000
Property Agent	$5,000 - $9,000
Architects and Project Manager Fees	$40,000 - $50,000
Additional Funds (Approx. 3 months)	$15,000 - $20,000
Small Wares	$15,000
Total for first Outlet	$998,500 - $1,114,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Doner Kebab Outlet's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Doner Kebab Outlet had 1 total units in 2023, of which 1 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Doner Kebab Outlet

key competitors in the

Other Food

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

New

n.a.

6.00%

$999,000

$1,115,000

$1,491,000

n.a.

Pastito

$100K - $200K

New

n.a.

6.00%

$123,000

$463,000

n.a.

Larks

Over $500K

New

n.a.

7.00%

$1,850,000

$12,375,000

n.a.

Spitz Mediterranean

Over $500K

New

100%

5.5% - 7.5%

$579,000

$1,150,000

$1,745,000

11.1%

Hot Dog On A Stick

$200K - $500K

New

20%

6.00%

$278,000

$439,000

$416,000

n.a.

Southern Steer Butcher

$200K - $500K

New

200%

4% - 6%

$429,000

$723,000

$1,591,000

8.9%

Orion Food Systems

$50K - $100K

823

New

-12%

n.a.

$62,000

$172,000

n.a.

Training

Doner Kebab offers a multi-faceted training program to ensure franchisees and their staff are well-prepared for operations. The training includes both classroom and on-the-job components.

Initial Training Program: This is mandatory and must be completed at least 30 days before opening. It is offered to franchisees, outlet managers, and owners for a $5,000 nonrefundable fee, and it covers operational procedures at designated locations.
On-Site Training: Doner Kebab provides on-site training at the franchise location prior to opening. This includes real-world practice under the supervision of franchisor personnel to ensure compliance with brand standards.
Refresher and Additional Training: Franchisees and staff may be required to attend refresher courses, conferences, or national meetings. These programs aim to keep teams aligned with updated System Standards, and all related expenses must be covered by the franchisee.
Training for New or Replacement Personnel: If any key team members are added during the franchise term, they must complete the required training to remain active in operations.

Territory Protection

Doner Kebab offers franchisees a designated Protected Territory, the size and boundaries of which are determined based on demographic research and location specifics. This territory may range from a street address to a zip code or defined area and is outlined in the franchise agreement.

As long as the franchisee remains in compliance, Doner Kebab agrees not to establish or license another outlet within that Protected Territory. However, this protection does not extend to exclusivity beyond the assigned area.

Franchisees are not allowed to solicit or fulfill orders outside their territory or use channels like the internet or telemarketing for such purposes. Despite this, Doner Kebab cannot prevent unsolicited inquiries from being served by other franchisees, nor can it control marketing spillovers such as media ads that may reach into a franchisee’s territory.