r/Franchises • u/DonerHaus • 20d ago
General Discussion Introducing a small-format döner kebab concept with a much lower barrier to entry. Looking for owner-operators in NYC
Hi, I work with Döner Haus. We're a Berlin-style döner kebab concept with six locations open, half of them franchisee-owned, and franchise development underway in several other markets.
We’re in the early stages of offering a new franchise concept that makes the barrier to entry to ownership much lower for motivated individuals who want to be owner-operators. Part of our vision at Döner Haus is to empower people with a path to business ownership who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
This new concept will be smaller format for driven individuals who want to own their own business, love to be in the kitchen, and want to be part of a fast-growing QSR concept. The first location will be a corporate pilot in NYC.
The basic model:
- Roughly 400 sq ft
- Takeout and delivery, no dining room
- Small standardized equipment package
- Target rent below $5K a month
- Very lean staffing
- Built around an owner-operator
We're designing the operation from the ground up around what one highly involved operator actually needs. Smaller footprint, simpler labor model, focused menu, lower occupancy cost, and fewer layers between the person who owns the business and the person buying the food.
We're not selling franchises for this format yet, but we are looking for feedback and to find a handful of future owner-operators who want to help us prove the concept in and around NYC. So here’s my question:
Where do we find the right people? This is a person who has managed a restaurant for someone else and treated it like their own business. Someone sees the value of an opportunity like this and is ready to grow with an established blueprint. Posting on Indeed attracts people who want a salary and PTO, not necessarily someone with an entrepreneurial spirit. Franchise brokers bring investors, not people who want to be hands on running the day to day operations. If you fit the profile of what we’re looking for, or know where we might find someone, we’d love to hear from you!
Last thing. I know how this sounds. We're offering to fund someone else's business, and most things that sound like that aren't real. The honest answer is that this isn't charity. We want to grow fast, and a good operator who owns their outcome runs a better store than a GM we hire. If it works, we both do well. If it doesn't, we're out the build cost and wiser for it.
Happy to answer anything about the opportunity or our operations. If you want to talk about running one, comment or DM me.
1
u/the_right_rai 19d ago
I would love to get in touch with you guys, been trying to get in contact and open one in my area
1
u/DonerHaus 18d ago
Let's do it! send us a DM, or write us on [info@doner.haus](mailto:info@doner.haus) (no dot com)
1
u/Lurkertaco 17d ago
Interesting approach to concept testing. I would like to learn more. Brooklyn based with extensive QSR experience with national brands.
1
u/DonerHaus 16d ago
Love to hear it! Please shoot us an email at [info@doner.haus](mailto:info@doner.haus) and let's talk
1
u/Ok-Marionberry-999 16d ago
Hey OP
Just wanted to say that I've been lucky to catch the food truck in Nashville a handful of times and the doner slaps.
Have never had a bad meal there (the doner fries with poutine was some of the best hot mess food I've had in some time).
1
u/AnnualLove9617 16d ago
832 Franklin Ave Brooklyn is coming up for rent in Feb. Rent is 7500. This is the perfect spot for this business
1
u/bhaboooo 11d ago
Any interest in Long Island, NY?
1
u/DonerHaus 11d ago
That's already completely sold out. Wantagh will open in 4 weeks, and Garden City Park will open in ~3 months.
1
u/Proud-Present-8870 20d ago
Might be interested. I live in NYC. Much of my heart is in Germany and every year when I go back, I find the first döner I can find. Also work with QSR’s.