Java to enter Eldoret and Kericho in the next two months

The Java House Restaurant chain will open two additional outlets in Eldoret and Kericho this September, marking its entry into the commercially vibrant Rift Valley towns.

The new outlets are part of Java’s growth plan targeting counties outside Nairobi.

So far, the chain has opened branches in Nanyuki, Kisumu, Naivasha and Nakuru with more planned for Thika and Athi River, Machakos. Java also plans to increase its presence in a number of Nairobi estates.

The new outlets will be its 54th and 55th branches.

The expansion plan commenced in 2015 has seen the restaurant chain double its branches over the past two years.

“This year we have so far managed to open five branches and our expansion plans have seen us expand to new cities outside of Kenya,” said Java House chief executive Ken Kuguru.

Across Kenya’s borders, the restaurant has four branches, in Kampala, Jinja, Kigali and Entebbe.

American private equity firm Emerging Capital Partners bought a majority stake in Java in 2012.

READ: US private equity funds in Sh10bn bid for Java House chain

The capital injection enabled the coffee house to fund growth, opening additional branches in various part of Nairobi including one along Mama Ngina Street, another at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Wilson Airport, ReInsurance Plaza previously occupied by Walker’s and at Embassy House, just off Harambee Avenue.

The growth plan also involves opening additional branches of the sister brands, Planet Yogurt and 360 Degrees Pizza. The restaurant chain targets to open at least one 360 degrees pizza yearly and Planet Yogurt.

The chain opened the seventh Planet Yogurt outlet under the chain on Kimathi Street in 2016 and at Rosslyn Riviera late at the beginning of the year. It also set up the second 360-degree Pizza branch at Rosslyn Riviera.