Lukas Podolski: The former Arsenal star turned $224m 'Kebab King'

Lukas Podolski, the former German striker, now runs a massive international kebab empire! According to The Sun, his empire is estimated to be worth around $224m (£176m).

After successful campaigns with Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Inter Milan, Podoslki swaps hat-tricks for doner kebabs. Podolski scored 31 goals in 82 games for Arsenal, winning an FA Cup in 2014. Furthermore, he went on to win a Bundesliga with Bayern Munich!

During his two-year stint at Galatasaray, the German striker chose to invest heavily in the food sector. According to Sport, Podolski's Turkish adventure inspired him to start a kebab business.

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In 2018, Podolski opened Mangal Döner during his final season in Galatasaray. His restaurant was very popular with kebab lovers in Turkey and the German striker saw his business grow. He chose to expand the business overseas in Europe.

What started as a sole entrepreneurial adventure, developed into a full-blown franchise. Upon leaving Turkey in 2018, Podolski joined Vissel Kobe (Japan) where he continued to expand his kebab empire.

Podolski expanded his business and opened a series of venues in his home country, Germany. The former German striker opened a total of 30 restaurants and the business looks to be flourishing.

"If you order menus at McDonald's, you pay as much as at my stores or even more. However the food will be s***, it lacks quality," Podolski told The Sun.

Nevertheless, Podolski was challenged by YouTuber Sascha Hellinger over the price, with the social media star claiming it was too expensive.

The former German striker fiercely defended his grub claiming "In my opinion, doner is still too cheap anyways. It should cost more. People keep referring to prices in the old days. When we were young a doner probably cost $3. Now it's $7, and prices have increased everywhere," shared Podolski during his interview for The Sun.

Podolski is still playing football on a professional level for Gornik Zabrze in Poland's first division. Nevertheless, he is in the final stages of his athletic career and now has his eyes set on his entrepreneurial career.

In 2017, after leaving Arsenal, he created Ice Cream United. A tasty and natural flavored ice cream shop located throughout Germany.

The former German striker has an extensive investment portfolio according to Sport. He was involved in big music festivals, as well as major charity matches.

It is estimated Podolski runs a $224m (£176m) empire and has room to further develop his business.

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