Born in Poland, raised in Germany and with clubs including Arsenal, Inter and Vissel Kobe on his CV, it’s fair to say that Lukas Podolski has sampled plenty of international cuisines. But when he felt the urge to move into the food business there was one delicacy that stood out above the rest: kebabs.
The 35-year-old now plies his trade for Antalyaspor, but it was during an earlier Süper Lig stint that he developed his fascination with the ubiquitous doner. “I started my kebab business when I played for Galatasaray,” he says. “My neighbour in Cologne is from Turkey and we decided to work together. We started with a tiny place and a takeaway concept: you come in, get your kebab and go.”
Podolski’s venture quickly proved a hit, so much so that if you buy a kebab in Cologne, chances are that the former Germany striker owns the premises. “It worked out very well and since that time our business has grown significantly. Now we have 11 places in and around Cologne and you can also buy our kebabs in shopping centres.”
Born in Poland, raised in Germany and with clubs including Arsenal, Inter and Vissel Kobe on his CV, it’s fair to say that Lukas Podolski has sampled plenty of international cuisines. But when he felt the urge to move into the food business there was one delicacy that stood out above the rest: kebabs.
The 35-year-old now plies his trade for Antalyaspor, but it was during an earlier Süper Lig stint that he developed his fascination with the ubiquitous doner. “I started my kebab business when I played for Galatasaray,” he says. “My neighbour in Cologne is from Turkey and we decided to work together. We started with a tiny place and a takeaway concept: you come in, get your kebab and go.”
Podolski’s venture quickly proved a hit, so much so that if you buy a kebab in Cologne, chances are that the former Germany striker owns the premises. “It worked out very well and since that time our business has grown significantly. Now we have 11 places in and around Cologne and you can also buy our kebabs in shopping centres.”
And just in case you’re still feeling peckish afterwards, Podolski has another treat to offer. “After EURO 2016 I also opened ice-cream parlours,” he says. “During the tournament there was a guy in our hotel who prepared desserts for the German national team. It turned out he’s from Cologne as well and I told him, ‘Let’s start an ice-cream business.’”
Together they now own two parlours and even served a few Manchester United players during last season’s Europa League final tournament. “It’s true, they were there,” says the 2014 World Cup winner, who attributes his success both on and off the pitch to hard work. “That’s my main rule. I’m not just giving my name to this business – I’m involved every day. People just see the final result but I put in a lot of effort.”
Mangal Döner
Bonner Sraße 1,
50677 Cologne,
Germany
Ice Cream United
Brüsseler Straße 71,
50672 Cologne
Germany
Born in Poland, raised in Germany and with clubs including Arsenal, Inter and Vissel Kobe on his CV, it’s fair to say that Lukas Podolski has sampled plenty of international cuisines. But when he felt the urge to move into the food business there was one delicacy that stood out above the rest: kebabs.
The 35-year-old now plies his trade for Antalyaspor, but it was during an earlier Süper Lig stint that he developed his fascination with the ubiquitous doner. “I started my kebab business when I played for Galatasaray,” he says. “My neighbour in Cologne is from Turkey and we decided to work together. We started with a tiny place and a takeaway concept: you come in, get your kebab and go.”
Podolski’s venture quickly proved a hit, so much so that if you buy a kebab in Cologne, chances are that the former Germany striker owns the premises. “It worked out very well and since that time our business has grown significantly. Now we have 11 places in and around Cologne and you can also buy our kebabs in shopping centres.”
Born in Poland, raised in Germany and with clubs including Arsenal, Inter and Vissel Kobe on his CV, it’s fair to say that Lukas Podolski has sampled plenty of international cuisines. But when he felt the urge to move into the food business there was one delicacy that stood out above the rest: kebabs.
The 35-year-old now plies his trade for Antalyaspor, but it was during an earlier Süper Lig stint that he developed his fascination with the ubiquitous doner. “I started my kebab business when I played for Galatasaray,” he says. “My neighbour in Cologne is from Turkey and we decided to work together. We started with a tiny place and a takeaway concept: you come in, get your kebab and go.”
Podolski’s venture quickly proved a hit, so much so that if you buy a kebab in Cologne, chances are that the former Germany striker owns the premises. “It worked out very well and since that time our business has grown significantly. Now we have 11 places in and around Cologne and you can also buy our kebabs in shopping centres.”
Born in Poland, raised in Germany and with clubs including Arsenal, Inter and Vissel Kobe on his CV, it’s fair to say that Lukas Podolski has sampled plenty of international cuisines. But when he felt the urge to move into the food business there was one delicacy that stood out above the rest: kebabs.
The 35-year-old now plies his trade for Antalyaspor, but it was during an earlier Süper Lig stint that he developed his fascination with the ubiquitous doner. “I started my kebab business when I played for Galatasaray,” he says. “My neighbour in Cologne is from Turkey and we decided to work together. We started with a tiny place and a takeaway concept: you come in, get your kebab and go.”
Podolski’s venture quickly proved a hit, so much so that if you buy a kebab in Cologne, chances are that the former Germany striker owns the premises. “It worked out very well and since that time our business has grown significantly. Now we have 11 places in and around Cologne and you can also buy our kebabs in shopping centres.”
And just in case you’re still feeling peckish afterwards, Podolski has another treat to offer. “After EURO 2016 I also opened ice-cream parlours,” he says. “During the tournament there was a guy in our hotel who prepared desserts for the German national team. It turned out he’s from Cologne as well and I told him, ‘Let’s start an ice-cream business.’”
Together they now own two parlours and even served a few Manchester United players during last season’s Europa League final tournament. “It’s true, they were there,” says the 2014 World Cup winner, who attributes his success both on and off the pitch to hard work. “That’s my main rule. I’m not just giving my name to this business – I’m involved every day. People just see the final result but I put in a lot of effort.”
Mangal Döner
Bonner Sraße 1,
50677 Cologne,
Germany
Ice Cream United
Brüsseler Straße 71,
50672 Cologne
Germany
Born in Poland, raised in Germany and with clubs including Arsenal, Inter and Vissel Kobe on his CV, it’s fair to say that Lukas Podolski has sampled plenty of international cuisines. But when he felt the urge to move into the food business there was one delicacy that stood out above the rest: kebabs.
The 35-year-old now plies his trade for Antalyaspor, but it was during an earlier Süper Lig stint that he developed his fascination with the ubiquitous doner. “I started my kebab business when I played for Galatasaray,” he says. “My neighbour in Cologne is from Turkey and we decided to work together. We started with a tiny place and a takeaway concept: you come in, get your kebab and go.”
Podolski’s venture quickly proved a hit, so much so that if you buy a kebab in Cologne, chances are that the former Germany striker owns the premises. “It worked out very well and since that time our business has grown significantly. Now we have 11 places in and around Cologne and you can also buy our kebabs in shopping centres.”
