The German-style kebab franchise is scaling beyond New York with a compact restaurant model designed to bring döner to more U.S. markets.
- Döner Haus plans 11 locations by 2026 across four states.
- Los Angeles proves the brand's scalability beyond New York.
- The original East Village location reports $1.7 million in sales from 2025.
Döner Haus is taking its German-style kebab concept beyond its New York roots as the franchise works toward a broader U.S. footprint. The brand has set its sights on reaching 11 locations across four states by the end of 2026, with restaurants in development in New York, Florida and Mississippi and its first West Coast location now operating in Los Angeles.
The expansion is testing whether the brand’s compact, focused restaurant model can be replicated far from its original market. Sebastian Martinez, a Los Angeles franchisee, opened Döner Haus’ first West Coast location in August after training with the team in New York. Chief Operating Officer Pamela Navarro said the Los Angeles opening demonstrated that the food, service standards and operating rhythm could hold up more than 2,000 miles from the company’s home base.
Döner Haus has built its proposition around German-style döner kebabs made with halal beef or chicken, fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce, served in toasted Turkish pide bread, wraps or boxes. The company’s East Village location generated approximately $1.7 million in gross sales in 2025, while the brand reports a 72% repeat-order rate, figures that have helped support its case for expansion into markets where the category remains relatively unfamiliar.
As more restaurants enter the network, comparing performance across locations can help franchise organizations identify differences in sales, operating trends and other key measures. Gorilla Dash offers a Benchmarking feature that can help franchise teams compare business performance across locations and use those comparisons to inform decisions as the network expands.
Döner Haus has already demonstrated that its growth strategy extends beyond its original New York market. With Los Angeles now serving as its West Coast foothold and additional restaurants moving toward opening in several states, the company is betting that a focused menu, compact footprint and repeatable operating system can give German-style döner a larger place in the American fast-casual market.
Key Facts:
| Expansion Plan | Döner Haus aims to expand to 11 locations in four states by the end of 2026. |
|---|---|
| Successful Prototype | The East Village location generated $1.7 million in sales in 2025 with a 72% repeat order rate. |
| West Coast Expansion | Sebastian Martinez opened the first West Coast location in Los Angeles. |
| Franchise Growth | Five new restaurants under construction across different states to expand franchise presence. |
| Brand Recognition Goal | Aims to be the first national döner brand in the U.S., filling a gap in the market. |
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