German Doner Kebab (GDK), the globally acclaimed Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brand known for redefining the kebab experience, announces the appointment of Jim Slater as Chair and Non-Executive Director to further accelerate its UK and international growth strategy.
Jim has a proven track record in building hospitality businesses with prior executive leadership roles at Chipotle and Costa Coffee, where he helped build the brands and drove exceptional store growth with marketing, innovation and technology-led strategies. Chipotle grew to 3,500+ restaurants during his tenure, and he was instrumental in delivering unprecedented global growth for Costa Coffee, establishing clear market leadership in the UK and expansion into 30+ new countries
Slater commented: “I am delighted to be joining Simon and the team at GDK and to be partnering with True. and Hero Brands. GDK has been a stand-out success story in UK hospitality and I look forward to helping the team drive further sustainable growth both in the UK and internationally in collaboration with our franchisees.”
Simon Wallis, CEO of GDK, commented: “I am thrilled that Jim is joining GDK and look forward to drawing upon his considerable experience. It has been clear from day one that Jim shares our values and our vision for the business and I am looking forward to working alongside him in the coming years.”
Richard Sharpe, Managing Director at True, added: “Welcoming Jim as Chair of GDK is an exciting moment for the brand as we continue to invest behind global growth. With his extensive UK and international experience in building brands and partnerships, he will make an immediate impact to GDK, and also bring value to True’s growing consumer, retail and technology ecosystem.”
GDK has set out to redefine the kebab experience whilst building an exciting Gen-Z focussed brand rooted in music, sport, and popular culture. GDK has developed an extensive menu of fresh-to-order products featuring premium lean meats, unique toasted waffle bread, and handmade signature sauces, such as the Boss Box, OG Kebab, and the Gym Box.
In recent years, GDK has taken its “Kebabs. Done Right” mission to the world, allowing everyone to enjoy a premium, authentic, and culturally relevant doner kebab experience. As of March 2026, there are over 180 GDK restaurants throughout the UK, Ireland, Sweden, North America, and the Middle East, with new restaurants set to open in India and Uzbekistan in 2026.True. invested into GDK in 2025 alongside Hero Brands to support GDK’s continued rollout as the leading Middle Eastern QSR brand in the UK and accelerate growth across existing and new markets globally.
