Exclusive – I am Doner to make international debut as it signs multi-site franchise deal in UAE: I am Doner, the award-winning better kebab brand backed by Think Hospitality, has signed a multi-site franchise deal to take the brand to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Propel has learned. The partnership with Dash Hospitality Group will see the first international openings for I am Doner, with a first site due to open by the end of 2021 in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis. Dash Hospitality Group is behind the franchise of Coffee Planet and Goi Rolls in the Middle East. The deal has been facilitated by Middle East business development company Socius Group where David Singleton is a partner. Singleton was previously vice-president of hospitality for Dubai-based Al Tayer Group and area vice-president, franchise operations and development EMEA/south Asia, Hard Rock International. Dash Hospitality Group chief executive Hayder Al Nashie said: “I have been searching across the globe for a doner concept for a long time, and more so when I opened uniQuitchen in 2020 (our cloud kitchen concept). When I saw I am Doner, I knew we had found an amazing brand and with the help of David Singleton we have made that a reality. We simply cannot wait to serve the city with what we think is the best doner in the world.” I am Doner chairman James Hacon added: “We are excited to start our international roll-out with the team at Dash Hospitality Group, which has both the experience and vision to make this a massive success. This is the culmination of three years hard work from the I am Doner team where we have strengthened leadership and focused on taking a fantastic concept and making it run like a systemised well-oiled machine. We have had many respected operators through the business in recent months who have been very positive about the business and its operational rigour. We are in many active conversations about further deals in the UK and overseas.” Singleton said: “We have been thrilled to work with I am Doner on its first overseas agreement with Dash Hospitality. Doner is one of the fastest growing cuisines in the food and beverage sector and I know the UAE will embrace one of the best doners in the world.” I am Doner operates sites in Headingley, Harrogate and Leeds city centre.

Shepherd Neame announces board changes: Kent brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has made changes to a number of roles and responsibilities on its board. The company stated: “Hilary Riva has been appointed as senior independent director and will remain as chair of the remuneration committee. Nigel Bunting will be appointed to the newly created role of commercial director, with responsibility for the beer business, procurement and logistics functions, at the end of the financial year. We have commenced the recruitment for a director of retail pub operations. Mark Rider, currently finance and IT director, has been appointed chief financial officer, and has assumed the people function along with his other responsibilities for finance and IT.”