Largest McDonald’s UK franchisee sells portfolio, joins German Doner Kebab

Atul Pathak, OBE, has laid out development plans that include up to 30 sites.

The executive who was once McDonald’s largest franchisee in the UK has partnered with German Doner Kebab.

In an announcement from the Glasgow-based fast casual restaurant chain, Atul Pathak, OBE, has laid out development plans that include up to 30 sites, ten of which are set to be delivered by 2023 across the South of England.

“It’s hugely exciting to be teaming-up with German Doner Kebab. After nearly 20 years with McDonald's, I decided to sell my business and explore new opportunities that reflected the changes we are seeing amongst Gen Z and Millennial consumers,” Pathak said.

Pathak said it was a “great journey” to grow from one restaurant to 43 and be the largest franchisee of McDonald’s in the UK. 

“But, I felt it was time for a new challenge and when the opportunity to partner with German Doner Kebab arose it was a perfect fit for our new ambitions,” he added.

The partnership with Pathak comes as German Doner Kebab opens its 100th UK restaurant and forges ahead with plans to open 78 new restaurants in the UK during 2022, building on the 39 opened during 2021.

Now employing over 4,000 people throughout the country, the brand boasts a development pipeline of over 400 restaurants during the next seven years. 

This year, plans are also in place to open eleven new restaurants in North America and its first restaurant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Ajlan Bin Ajlan Group, has been signed-up as the master-franchisee in Saudi Arabia, with a development agreement of 100 restaurants.