Marcel Khan appointed CEO of Franco Manca operator

The Fulham Shore, which owns and operates 27 restaurants under The Real Greek umbrella and 70 Franco Manca venues, has appointed Marcel Khan as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective as of January 2024. 

Khan joins the company with more than 20 years of experience working with high-growth brands operating in the hospitality and leisure sectors. In 2018, Khan founded 'Yes. More Human', a specialist hospitality consultancy, and in recent years has acted as advisor and consultant to brands including Black Tap Craft Burgers (US), Fishbowl (Australia), Ole & Steen (Denmark), Berberè Pizzeria (Italy), Miscusi (Italy) and Kaleido Rolls (UK).

Previously, Khan was also CEO of Thunderbird Fried Chicken, evolving the brand from a street food concept into a high-street name. As its first employee outside of the US, he also spearheaded Five Guys' expansion across the UK and Europe as operations and brand development director, after spending more than a decade at Nando's as regional MD. Since March 2020, Khan has additionally served as an operating partner at Capdesia, the regional investment firm exclusively focused on European-branded restaurant chains.

Marcel Khan, the new CEO of The Fulham Shore

Earlier this year, The Fulham Shore joined the Toridoll Group – the Tokyo-listed international restaurant conglomerate with more than 1,900 restaurants in 30 countries and regions – in partnership with Capdesia. Toridoll's extensive experience in the industry, paired with Capdesia's knowledge of the European region, will support and accelerate both Franco Manca's and The Real Greek's growth trajectory. It also cements the new shareholders' long-term partnership, which has already seen Capdesia launch and grow Toridoll's flagship brand, Marugame Udon, in Europe. 

In his new role at The Fulham Shore, Khan will lead the continued development of Franco Manca and The Real Greek, expanding both brands throughout the UK and worldwide. 

In the first instance, Khan will oversee the launch of Franco Manca's latest pizzeria in Brixton. The sourdough pizza brand will relocate from its first-ever site in Brixton to a new 100-cover flagship restaurant in the same area, fortifying the brand's Brixton heritage. 

"I'm super excited to join The Fulham Shore," says Khan. "Franco Manca and The Real Greek are iconic, unique and well-loved brands with significant potential to expand in the UK, internationally and through retail channels.

"Having recently met Awata-san (CEO of Toridoll) and his incredible leadership team at Toridoll, I've been truly inspired by their commitment to driving the emotional connection between brands and customers and delivering 'Kando', the Japanese word for the simultaneous feeling of deep satisfaction and excitement. I look forward to using my expertise to lead the next phase of The Fulham Shore's development and introduce more customers to Franco Manca and The Real Greek's differentiated offers."

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