German Doner Kebab (GDK) has appointed experienced hospitality executive Wayne Shurvinton as its new Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1 September.
Shurvinton succeeds Simon Wallis, who is stepping down from the role and will support the Board and incoming CEO through an orderly transition.
The appointment brings extensive restaurant, franchise and international leadership experience to the fast-growing premium kebab brand. Shurvinton’s career has included senior positions at Greene King, KFC and Pizza Hut, within Yum! Brands.
During his time at Yum! Brands, Shurvinton held a series of senior operational, franchise, development and international roles. At KFC UK & Ireland, he worked closely with the franchise network before becoming Acquisitions Director, leading development strategy, capital deployment, acquisitions and estate growth.
He later became Chief Operating Officer for KFC MENAPAK, overseeing operations across 11 countries and approximately 800 restaurants.
Shurvinton subsequently served as Chief Customer Officer for Pizza Hut UK & Europe, with responsibility for operations, digital, IT, quality assurance and customer experience across around 1,500 restaurants in 27 countries.
Most recently, he held senior leadership positions at Greene King, initially as Managing Director of Pub Partners before taking on the role of Managing Director of Partnerships & Ventures. In that position, he was responsible for a portfolio of franchise pubs, hotels and restaurant brands spanning approximately 1,200 sites.
Jim Slater, Chair of GDK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Wayne to GDK as our new Chief Executive Officer.
“Wayne brings an exceptional breadth of experience across delivering craveable food, partnerships and franchising, operations, estate development, digital and customer hospitality. He has a strong track record of leading complex, multi-site businesses in both the UK and international markets.
“His deep understanding of franchise partnerships is particularly important to GDK. He understands that the most successful franchise businesses are built on strong relationships, shared economics, operational excellence and a relentless focus on the customer.”
Slater added that GDK had established itself as the UK’s leading premium kebab brand, with a significant opportunity to build on that position.
“Wayne’s experience in developing and scaling franchise businesses, combined with his commercial and operational leadership, makes him ideally suited to lead GDK through its next phase of growth,” he said.
Shurvinton said he was looking forward to joining the business and working closely with its franchise partners and teams.
“I am hugely excited to be joining GDK,” he said. “It is a distinctive brand with a compelling product, a strong network of franchise partners and considerable potential for further growth in the UK and internationally.
“I have spent a significant part of my career working with franchise businesses and have seen first-hand what can be achieved when a great brand, talented people and ambitious franchise partners are aligned behind a clear strategy.”
He said his immediate priority would be to spend time with franchise partners, restaurant teams and colleagues across the business, “listening and learning”, while ensuring GDK continued to deliver a strong customer experience.
The Board also paid tribute to outgoing CEO Simon Wallis, highlighting his contribution to the brand’s development.
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Slater said: “During his tenure, the business has strengthened its position as the UK’s leading premium kebab brand, expanded its restaurant estate in the UK and international, enhanced its operational capabilities, overseen the sale of a majority stake in the business to True and laid the foundations for future growth.
“We are grateful for his leadership, commitment and contribution to the business, and we wish him every success for the future.”
GDK said its strategic priorities remain centred on maintaining sector-leading culinary standards, supporting franchisee profitability, improving the customer experience and achieving sustainable long-term growth across its network.
