Welcome to Miami – hospitality boss says British government’s direction drove HQ relocation to the US

After a successful exhibition at Franchise Expo South in sunny Florida earlier this year, UK-based Berlin-inspired Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) franchise, Doner Shack, has made the defining decision to relocate its headquarters to Miami. 

You know what they say – a trip to Miami never disappoints – and founders Sanj Sanghera and Laura Bruce couldn’t agree more. With the UK hospitality industry seeing setbacks since the pandemic, and with the current government’s commitment to increasing National Insurance and VAT for businesses, the Doner Shack team are ready to relocate their HQ to an environment where their business can thrive.

For Doner Shack, the move to Miami is a no-brainer. Due to the well-developed franchising community in the US and growth prospects, confidence in emerging brands is much higher – providing a strong foundation which fosters an environment of support and collaboration. Doner Shack also highlights the US government's clear commitment to supporting the growth of businesses, like itself, as a key factor in its decision to become an American company.

“There’s a lot of confidence in the US - it’s the most established franchise market in the world, particularly for the QSR sector. We’re excited to operate in an environment that offers strong opportunities for growth and success, allowing our business to thrive, as opposed to dealing with constant setbacks we’ve seen in the UK since March 2020,” said Laura.

Being a part of the International Franchise Association (IFA) is also set to provide Doner Shack with significant opportunities to strengthen its presence in the global franchising community. Membership in the IFA not only enhances the brand's credibility but also connects Doner Shack with a vast network of industry leaders, franchise professionals and franchisee prospects. 

“I spoke to franchisees in the US with over 1,000 restaurants – far surpassing the scale of most major brands in the UK. The business environment here is incredibly dynamic, with highly motivated individuals, ample opportunities to secure prime locations, and vast areas available for development. It’s a much better environment for us as a business,” added Sanj.

Florida is the ultimate destination for holiday-goers seeking a taste of iconic American QSR brands. By establishing itself here, Doner Shack not only caters to the millions of tourists but also strategically positions itself to build a global customer base. The convenient location of the new HQ will also allow the team to meet people for discovery days, providing prospects with the opportunity to visit multiple Doner Shack franchisees operating restaurants nearby. 

“One of the main reasons we chose the US, and ultimately Miami, is the strength of its business environment. Miami provides a solid foundation for growth, with access to a broad customer base, an established franchising network, and excellent opportunities to scale our operations,” added Laura.

Following the UK governments recent 2025 budget announcement, rising costs are expected to put pressure on businesses, making it much harder for hospitality businesses to expand their network. 

"In Europe, most hospitality businesses benefit from a VAT sales tax of 10% or less, while in the UK, we face a rate of 20%. Combined with rising costs during the inflationary period of 2023, this has made operations increasingly challenging. Additional pressures, such as higher employer national insurance contributions and the end of pandemic-level business rates relief, doesn't build great confidence and has further compounded the strain. By contrast, the US offers a much more supportive environment for businesses, and we’re already feeling more optimistic about the opportunities here," concluded Sanj.

Set to make a splash in the US QSR market next year, Doner Shack is keen to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the well-established franchising landscape in the US. With its innovative approach and proven success, the brand will position itself as a standout player in the QSR sector, leveraging the unique advantages and scalability that the US franchise environment provides.

For further information about Doner Shack, visit www.donershack.uk/franchise