German Doner Kebab (GDK) has announced two new senior management appointments. Tommy Edmond has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Amit Pancholi has taken on the role of UK Franchise Development Director.
These significant appointments come as GDK prepares to open its 150th store in the coming months, maintaining its ambitious growth.
The brand’s sales growth continues to be strong and sales increased by 7.7% from the previous year, and it has plans to further expand into both domestic and international markets.
Tommy Edmond brings to GDK more than a decade of CFO experience, having held senior positions at some of the world’s most renowned companies. His ten years at McDonald’s UK & ROI and leadership roles at McLaren Applied and Uptake Strategies have honed his skills in implementing actionable financial insights and driving rapid business growth. Tommy studied accounting and finance at the University of Cape Town and is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants through his work with Deloitte Johannesburg.
Edmond expressed his excitement about joining GDK and stated the following: “I am excited to be a part of GDK at such a dynamic time. My experience at McDonald’s and other fast-paced, high-growth companies is a perfect match for GDK’s ambitious plans. I look forward to working with the team and our franchisees as we continue to build the world’s leading doner kebab brand.
Amit Pancholi, a seasoned QSR professional with extensive expertise in business development, property management and franchising, joins GDK after holding leadership roles at Papa John’s, Domino’s Pizza and other major brands. His in-depth knowledge of both the UK and international franchise markets supports GDK’s continued expansion. Amit’s expertise in store acquisition, development and recruitment of strategic franchise partners will be vital as GDK continues its presence.
Expressing his excitement about his new role, Pancholi said, “GDK is a brand with incredible potential and I am eager to participate in its next phase of growth. With a strong foundation and a bold vision for the future, I look forward to driving the expansion strategy and bringing the GDK experience to more customers around the world.”
Simon Wallis, CEO of German Doner Kebab, said: “We are delighted to welcome new members of our team at this important time for GDK. Their expertise will play a key role as we continue our journey of growth and innovation. With our expansion into service stations and new product developments, we are not only growing our footprint but we are also shaping the fast food experience in Great Britain.
