Germany faces potential turmoil with doner kebab vendors due to strike threats, potentially pushing prices above €10.
In a significant turn of events, the long-standing labor dispute at Birtat, one of Germany's leading doner kebab meat producers, has come to an end with a collective wage agreement. This resolution follows weeks of strikes and negotiations, bringing much-needed relief to the urban food culture that has embraced doner kebab as a staple [2][4].
The labor unrest had involved around 115 employees who were demanding a monthly pay increase of €375, a standardized entry-level salary of €3,000, and a company-wide collective pay agreement [1][3]. The strikes, which included short warning strikes and a five-day full strike starting in February 2025, had raised concerns over potential supply disruptions and possible doner kebab price spikes exceeding €10 across Germany [1].
The recent agreement ensures a transparent, company-wide collective pay deal, with starting monthly wages around €2,600 to €3,000, and planned increases of up to 17% by 2027 [2][4]. This development has eased supply concerns, alleviating fears of widespread shortages and extreme price hikes [2].
However, industry analysts caution that even with the agreement, higher labor costs combined with increased beef prices could keep doner kebab retail prices above €10, compared to around €2.50 two decades ago and current average prices of €7 or more [1][2]. Despite this, the resolution of the labor dispute should provide a stable foundation for the future of doner kebab in Germany.
Doner kebab, a dish that typically features seasoned meat - usually beef, chicken, or veal - cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served in flatbread with salad and sauces, has become one of Germany's most popular fast-food items, widely available at street stalls, snack bars, and takeout shops [2]. As a staple of urban food culture, especially in major cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, the ongoing dispute had sparked concerns over a widespread strike in Germany [4].
Birtat is part of Meat World SE, a company based in Murr, near Ludwigsburg in southwestern Germany, which generates approximately €200 million ($233.19 million) in annual revenue and distributes its products to over 13 million consumers monthly [1]. The company produces frozen veal, chicken, and beef skewers for the doner kebab industry.
The union warns that sustained strikes could jeopardize kebab availability across Germany. With the resolution of the labor dispute, the focus now shifts to maintaining a stable workforce and ensuring the continued availability of this beloved fast food in Germany.
- The resolution of the labor dispute at Birtat, a Turkish-German company known for doner kebab production, may maintain its popularity in major cities like Istanbul, due to its widespread acceptance as a staple of urban food culture.
- In the aftermath of the labor dispute, the focus at Birtat, a significant player in the Turkish economy, will be on promoting workplace wellness and health-and-wellness initiatives to secure a stable workforce.
- As Germany's love for doner kebab continues to grow, the Turkish food industry may capitalize on this trend by collaborating with Russian scientists for innovative research in food-and-drink technology.
- In light of the wage agreement at Birtat, the Turkish government and various Turkish chambers in Turkiye may consider implementing similar policies to promote fair wages and improve the overall lifestyle for employees in the Turkey-based food and beverage sector.
- With an increased emphasis on health-and-wellness in the workplace, some German companies may adopt Mediterranean-inspired menus, incorporating more Turkish dishes like doner kebab into their cafeteria offerings, promoting a healthier and more diverse lunchtime lifestyle.
