German Doner Kebab has named Wayne Shurvinton as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Simon Wallis who is stepping down. Shurvinton will assume the role on September 1 and brings extensive experience from major restaurant chains.
Background and Experience
Shurvinton previously held senior roles at Greene King, KFC, and Pizza Hut. At KFC, he served as Acquisitions Director and later as Chief Operating Officer for the MENAPAK region, overseeing approximately 800 restaurants across 11 countries.
He later became Chief Customer Officer for Pizza Hut UK & Europe, managing operations and digital systems across roughly 1,500 locations. Before joining the company, Shurvinton was Managing Director of Partnerships & Ventures at Greene King, where he managed a portfolio of business units spanning about 1,200 units including pubs, hotels, and restaurants.
The company’s chair, Jim Slater, highlighted Shurvinton’s expertise in franchise partnerships and his track record of scaling multi-site businesses. Shurvinton described the opportunity as compelling, noting that the brand has a strong network of franchise partners and significant growth potential.
He plans to focus on aligning strategy with franchise partners and restaurant teams to deliver an outstanding customer experience. The Board confirmed that Wallis will assist with an orderly transition to the new leadership.
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Simon Wallis’s tenure included expanding the restaurant estate and overseeing the sale of a majority stake to True. The company continues to focus on culinary standards and franchisee profitability as its primary strategic goals.
Strategic Direction and Future Goals
The Board emphasized that Shurvinton possesses exceptional breadth in delivering craveable food, partnerships & franchising, operations, estate development, digital capabilities, and customer hospitality. His background managing complex, multi-site businesses within the UK and international markets makes him uniquely suited to lead the brand’s next phase of expansion.
Shurvinton identified the strong network of franchise partners as a key asset, noting that successful operations rely on shared economics and operational excellence. His immediate priorities involve engaging with these partners and restaurant teams to ensure the continued delivery of a superior customer experience.
True, the investor behind the majority stake acquisition, benefits from the established foundation laid by Simon Wallis. The business has strengthened its position as the UK’s leading premium kebab brand, expanded its estate internationally, and enhanced operational capabilities. This groundwork provides a solid platform for future growth.
GDK’s strategic priorities remain focused on maintaining sector-leading culinary standards, supporting franchisee profitability, and ensuring sustainable long-term growth across the system.
