International franchiser Doner Kebab has announced plans to invest AED20 million to open 12 new outlets in Dubai this year.

The company said in a statement that it is also building a factory in Dubai to cope with demand for its products.

It added that it is now poised to exceed its target of managing 20 plus outlets in the GCC, in its first two years of operations in the region.

Doner Kebab is already present in nine locations across the UAE, and the 12 new outlets will be located in Al Barsha, Al Ghurair Centre, Burjuman Centre, Deira (next to Deira City Centre), Dragon Mart, Dubai Mall, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Sports City, Global village, JBR The Walk, Jumeirah road, and Tecom, it said in a statement.

The company, which started with 12 staff at its head office in Dubai, now has over 300 employees spread across the GCC, Pakistan, and a hub office in London.

The first Doner Kebab outlet opened in Berlin in 1989, and the business has since grown exponentially, with current operation in more than 14 countries.

"The UAE is one of the best performing markets globally, and our headquarters for the region. The market is demanding more of our products, and with the 12 new outlets, we can easily meet this demand. We are also building a factory in Dubai, so that we can supply our outlets with fresh ingredients, which incidentally is the trademark of our menu items," said Farshad Abbaszadeh, CEO, Doner Kebab.