Demolition and a new strategy
Lukas Podolski also closes two kebabs at Cologne
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06.09.2025, 1:16 p.m.
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With a lot of Tamtam, Lukas Podolski and Mangal open new branches of her kebab chain in recent years. But planning does not seem to be mature everywhere: two branches have to close in Cologne. The reasons are different.
Don’t the Döners from Lukas Podolski sell as hoped for? The “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” reportedthat the football professional closed two other kebabs: the branch of the Mangal chain in Hürth-Hermühlheim at the gates of Cologne was closed ten days ago. The branch in Pulheim-Stommeln set the company a few weeks ago.
Podolski has been involved in the doner franchise chain since 2024. It runs more than 50 branches throughout Germany. The Berlin branch was closed last November.
The reasons for the closures vary. According to Mangal, the branch in Hürth had to be closed after two years of operation because the rental agreement expired. “The building should be demolished, so that we could not keep this successful location,” the kebab chain is quoted in the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”. As a result, a residential and commercial building up to five-story residential and commercial buildings should be built on the corner.
Local politics confirms the construction project according to the report. However, it is unclear when the plans would be implemented. The sudden closure of the Mangal branch was surprised.
New strategy
The Pulheim Stommele branch northwest of Cologne also hired its company almost two years after the opening. In this case, it should be a change of strategy: “We open shops at high-frequency places. Always with sufficient seats and a real feel-good atmosphere,” says a mangal spokesman. “Some smaller shops no longer fit into this strategy.”
A restart is therefore already planned: Three new branches are to be opened in the Rhein-Erft district in 2026.
“Just didn’t work”
In turn, the reason for the closure of the Berlin branch was quite different: At the end of 2024 Mangal announced that the snack bar at the Kottbusser Tor in Kreuzberg “arrived very well with the guests”, but was planned as a pop-up store right from the start. New openings are now planned for the coming year at several locations.
The competition at the Berlin Döner-Hotspot has another suspicion that there was never talk of temporary planning: “It just didn’t work. A gastronomous prices for too bad offer,” said a restaurateur from the immediate vicinity at the time.
Which version is right? Unclear. One thing is certain: The announced new openings at several locations in Berlin have not yet existed.
A Business Reality Check Analyzing Mangal’s Expansion and Contraction
The recent closures of two Mangal locations, the kebab chain co-founded by football star Lukas Podolski, spark a larger discussion about the challenges of scaling a brand, even with a celebrity endorsement. While the reasons cited for the closures vary, the moves offer valuable insights into the competitive food industry. We delve deeper into the specifics, providing a complete overview of the decisions.
Key Closure Data: A Comparative Analysis
To better understand the situation, here’s a table breaking down each closure, highlighting the specifics and the differing explanations provided:
| Location | Closure Date | Reason Provided by Mangal | Other Contributing Factors (Rumored/Reported) | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hürth-Hermühlheim (Cologne Area) | August 2025 | Expiration of the rental agreement; planned demolition of the building. | Likely affected by external industry forces, a combination of increasing costs, lack of profitability or the change of consumer demand | Unexpected store closure due to external factors, and a building being demolished. |
| Pulheim-Stommeln (Cologne Area) | Summer 2025 | strategic shift towards larger locations with a better atmosphere. | Could also be a mixture of an unsustainable financial output and declining sales | Underlying management problems. |
| Kottbusser Tor, Berlin | November 2024 | Pop-up store, always intended to be temporary. | Competitor cited “gastronomous prices for too bad offer” suggesting potential quality or value issues. | Loss of brand value at a major location. |
This table showcases the diverse range of factors impacting Mangal’s expansion efforts. While some closures are attributed to external forces, the strategic shift towards bigger locations signals a realization that the initial expansion strategy may not have been as effective as hoped. The lack of new openings in Berlin, despite those being announced, further raises questions about the long-term viability of the Mangal brand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ section aims to provide clarity, addressing the most common questions surrounding the Mangal closures.Transparency and directness are crucial in building trust and mitigating any negative brand perception.
Why are the Mangal locations closing?
The reasons differ by location. In Hürth, it was due to the end of the lease and the planned demolition of the building. In Pulheim, it was a strategic move. the Berlin location was a pop-up, though some competitors offered alternative perspectives on this.
What is Lukas Podolski’s role in Mangal?
Podolski is a co-founder of the Mangal franchise chain. He has been involved since 2024.
Is mangal expanding or contracting?
Currently,the Mangal chain is contracting,as evidenced by the recent closures. Though, they have plans to open new locations in the Rhein-Erft district in 2026.The long-term success of these efforts will be crucial.
What are the long-term implications for the Mangal brand?
The closures create a mixed perception. While some, like the Hürth closure, are easily explained, the strategic shift and the failure to launch announced Berlin locations could damage the long-term viability of the brand
How does the competitive market effect Mangal?
The Döner market is crowded and competitive, with numerous restaurants and take-aways. this puts pressure on price, quality, and location, as evidenced by the competitor’s critique in Berlin.
This analysis, backed by data and clear explanations, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation at Mangal. The brand’s success hinges on these strategic decisions.
