Opening a kebab shop is an exciting but complex entrepreneurial adventure. Here are our 7 essential tips to guide you step by step through the successful opening of your establishment!
Kebabs continue to attract an ever-growing audience in France. By 2023, a study has revealed that nearly 300 million kebabs were consumed every year in the country. This represents a significant increase on the previous decade. This trend is also confirmed by a survey that places kebabs among the most popular fast-food dishes in France, alongside pizzas and burgers.
The market is also evolving in terms of perceived quality. Indeed, demand forso-called "gourmet" or "top-of-the-range" kebabs has risen by15% in 2022, reflecting consumers' desire for higher-quality products.
Opening a kebab shop is generally less expensive than other restaurant concepts. The INSEE estimates indicate that the initial costs of opening a kebab shop range from €50,000 to €100,000, depending on the location and equipment required. This estimate includes items such as :
Kebab restaurants in France generally boast attractive profit margins. The average annual turnover of a kebab is estimated at €134,000, with an annual net profit of between €15,000 and €25,000. This is due to relatively low raw material costs, estimated at around €0.85 per sandwich, and a total cost per kebab of between €2.5 and €5. The average annual profit for these establishments is estimated at between €15,000 and €20,000.
To stand out from the crowd and meet the expectations of consumers in 2025, kebab entrepreneurs need to integrate new trends such as vegetarian and vegan options: according to a study by Natexbio, consumption of vegetarian dishes jumped by 24% between 2020 and 2023. Offering kebabs based on plant proteins (such as seitan or tempeh) will help capture a growing customer base sensitive to environmental and ethical issues.
You're probably asking yourself these questions: do I need training? What diploma do I need to open a kebab shop?
Above all, decide whether you want to open your kebab shop as an independent or join a franchise. Each option has its advantages: independence offers total freedom over your concept, while franchising offers a tried-and-tested model with ongoing support. As far as training is concerned, there's no specific diploma required to open a kebab, but knowledge of management, food hygiene and customer service is highly recommended to ensure the success of your establishment.
First, clarify your concept. Will you offer a traditional kebab or introduce a modern twist? Once the concept has been defined, draw up a detailed business plan. This document is vital and should cover your market strategy, financial analysis and medium- and long-term objectives. A well-constructed business plan is essential to convince your banker and investors, and guide your first steps.
In this step, identify your fixed costs, such as rent, salaries and insurance, as well as your variable costs, such as raw materials and marketing expenses. A realistic estimate of these expenses will give you a clear picture of the financial requirements needed to keep your business running smoothly.
Set precise financial objectives, such as projected sales and expected profitability. Identify sources of financing: equity, bank loans or special grants for entrepreneurs. A well-detailed financing plan will enhance your project's credibility with investors and make it easier to obtain the necessary resources.
Financing can come from a variety of sources: personal savings, bank loans, investors or start-up grants. Assess how much you can personally invest and explore the best financing options available.
Prepare a convincing pitch to win over potential investors by highlighting your kebab's viability and growth potential.
👉 To find out more: Discover the different financing solutions for your restaurant
Familiarize yourself with all local regulations concerning catering, including the licenses required to sell food and drink.
This training course is compulsory for anyone wishing to operate a public house or restaurant in France. It covers subjects such as the prevention and control of alcoholism, the protection of minors, the repression of public drunkenness, as well as legislation on narcotics and the civil and criminal liability of the operator.
Duration: Approximately 20 hours, spread over 2.5 days.
Mandatory in France since October 1ᵉʳ 2012, this training aims to guarantee food safety in commercial catering establishments. It covers the principles of hygiene, the organization of food production and storage, and the implementation of preventive measures to manage health risks.
Duration: 14 hours minimum.
It is advisable to take these training courses with approved organizations. UMIH Formation, for example, offers training sessions for operating permits and food hygiene. You can consult their program and registration details on their website:
👉 Operating license program - UMIH Formation
👉 Food Hygiene Training Program - UMIH Formation
Make sure you choose a recognized and accredited training organization to guarantee the validity of your certification.
The location of your kebab shop is one of the key factors in the success of your business. The right choice can not only attract regular customers, but also maximize your sales from the very first months of opening.
To guarantee your restaurant's success, the location must be easy to spot and ideally situated on a busy street or near a high-traffic area, such as a train station or bus stop. Accessibility also plays an essential role: easy parking or proximity to public transport can considerably broaden your audience. It's also important to analyze the consumption habits of residents and workers in the target area. A clientele made up of students, young workers or families is often ideal for a kebab shop. Finally, studying the density of other similar restaurants in the area will enable you to assess the competition. Slight competition may indicate an active market, but an excess of kebab restaurants in the same area could complicate location.
To maximize your restaurant's traffic, choose lively city centers with a constant flow of passers-by, day and night. Student areas also represent an excellent opportunity, thanks to the young clientele who enjoy fast, affordable meals. Business districts attract workers looking for a convenient lunchtime solution, while the vicinity of leisure venues such as cinemas, shopping malls or sports stadiums generates a high level of footfall, particularly in the evenings and at weekends.
A good location, combined with an offer tailored to your target clientele, can make all the difference between a slow start and immediate success.
To succeed in the competitive kebab sector, it's essential to offer something that stands out and attracts a varied customer base.
A well-thought-out menu is the key to building customer loyalty. Offer original recipes that revisit kebab classics, adding quality ingredients or local touches. Incorporating options such as homemade sauces, artisan breads or original toppings can make all the difference. You can also take inspiration from international trends, such as Mediterranean or Oriental-style kebabs, to surprise your customers.
Product quality is a non-negotiable criterion. Betting on tasty, well-seasoned meats, fresh vegetables and homemade sauces will reinforce your establishment's image. What's more, offering a variety of options, such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free kebabs, will broaden your audience and appeal to a clientele sensitive to new food trends. Finally, don't hesitate to renew your menu regularly to maintain interest and attract customers curious to discover your new offerings.
To attract your first customers, develop an effective marketing strategy. Use social networks, create an attractive website, consider local partnerships, and launch promotional offers to increase your visibility. A good marketing campaign is essential to building a solid base of loyal customers.
👉 Going further: 8 tips for developing your restaurant on social networks
Carefully plan the resources you'll need to launch and run your kebab shop. This includes premises, equipment, staff, stock or legal compliance.
Make sure you have enough resources, especially financial, to cover the first few months of business, which are often the most critical.
To manage your kebab business, here is the essential equipment:
Opening and running a kebab shop is a complex, time-consuming and stressful venture.
That's why it's a good idea to equip your fast-food restaurant with tools specially designed to help you save time, streamline your business and boost your revenues.
For example, to concentrate on reception, service and kitchen preparation, delegate order-taking to an order kiosk. In addition to efficiently managing queues, an order kiosk boosts your average bill thanks to the attractive photos on your menu and the intelligent order path that automatically suggests extras (drinks, dessert, etc.).
And to keep pace in the kitchen, limit preparation errors and serve your customers quickly, equip your restaurant with a production screen.
To go even further, download our free guide by clicking below 👇
