German Doner Kebab hires new UK managing director
German Doner Kebab has appointed Sofia Dimen as its new UK managing director.
She will succeed Daniel Bunce who was recently promoted to the role of GDK global chief operating officer with the remit of leading the brand’s international growth plans.
Dimen is the founder of Basepoint Consulting and is a former senior commercial consultant of OXYGY, a Bird & Bird International law firm. Whilst there, she worked with a range of brands across the food and beverage sector including Greggs, Pret A Manger, Halo Burger, Daimon Brewery and Wagamama.
Throughout her career, she has also helped major high street brands to improve their understanding of the franchisee and franchisor relationship.
Her appointment follows a busy 2021 for GDK in which it opened 39 new UK restaurants and saw total sales rise by 75% on the previous year. The company is planning to launch a further 78 restaurants in 2022.
Imran Sayeed, GDK group chief executive, said: “I fully expect Sofia to not only be influential in helping us meet our ambitions of opening 78 restaurants in 2022, but truly driving the growth of our footprint in the next few years as we aim to reach 350 stores.
“We are growing at a great pace and in her new role Sofia will also be leveraging her significant experience to support operations, marketing and developing franchise business relationships. As well as influencing growth and establishing German Doner Kebab as one the fastest growing fast-casual brands in the UK.”
