#64: Building Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) & Crosstown Doughnuts with Adam Wills (co-founder)

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Adam Wills, a seasoned entrepreneur and visionary in the culinary world, boasts a track record of creating and launching successful food concepts both domestically and internationally. With a knack for innovation, he has spearheaded ventures like Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), Crosstown Doughnuts, and Slerp, securing funding from both private investors and institutional partners.
At the helm of Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Adam oversaw its expansion to 10 sites within five years, ultimately orchestrating its acquisition by Clapham House plc for £10 million. This success story continued as GBK went global, fetching lucrative deals with private equity firms and industry giants, resulting in substantial returns for investors.
As co-founder and director of Seven Restaurants Ltd, Adam contributed to the flourishing of award-winning establishments like Kopapa Cafe & Restaurant, later acquired by Balan's Restaurant Group. Additionally, his role in establishing Crosstown Bakery, with its 20 retail outlets across the UK and diverse revenue streams spanning online sales, wholesale partnerships, and branded food trucks, has positioned it as a force in the market, attracting private equity backing and international expansion prospects.
Not stopping there, Adam is also a founding shareholder and Director of SLERP, a pioneering B2B venture capital-backed food ordering and delivery platform empowering restaurants to establish direct-to-consumer channels, steering away from traditional marketplaces.
His collaborative approach has been pivotal in assembling skilled teams and securing funding for scalable ventures, reflecting his commitment to driving innovation and growth in the food landscape.
Dine with Adam and Sharena in Central London on Thursday 29th February 2024: https://lu.ma/startupstartnowadamwills
Find out more about Adam Wills via: LinkedIn.
Find out more about Crosstown via: their website, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Find out more about Slerp via their website.
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