Donair Maker Oozes Success

The Chronicle Herald:

Consistency is the key to a successful franchise, says Mark Woodman of King of Donairs Canada.

“Whether you produce a pizza here in Halifax or you produce it in Lethbridge, Alta., it has to be the same; it has to be constant,” he said in a recent interview. “The customer has to know that when they order a King of Donair pizza or donair that they’re getting the quality ingredients that are standard across the country.”

Mr. Woodman, an experienced franchisee, and his partner Glen Carrigan have joined forces with King of Donair owner Bassam Nahas to go national with the Halifax fast-food institution, which claims to have introduced the donair to Canada back in the 1970s. The partners plan to open 75 King of Donair franchise outlets across Canada within seven years. There are now 10 outlets in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, seven of which are franchises.

Mr. Nahas, who acquired the business in 1990, said the plan to franchise nationally grew out of the number of inquiries he has received from people who had lived in Nova Scotia — including many former university students — and who missed KOD products, particularly the distinctive pita-wrapped, spiced meat donairs.

“We got a lot of requests for opening up locations across the country and we want to do it right,” he said. “I didn’t want to spread ourselves thin.”

Mr. Nahas said his 38 years’ experience in the food business and the expertise of Mr. Woodman, who has developed the KOD franchise blueprint, make him confident that the business can compete with national and international chains like Pizza Hut.