Companies

Chicken Inn owner opens Sh70m Nairobi eatery in diversification

simbisa

Simbisa Brands plans to open more restaurant outlets in Kenya as it aims to woo fast food customers. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Zimbabwe’s largest fast-food restaurant operator, Simbisa Brands, has opened a new Sh70 million outlet in Nairobi as it diversifies its growing Kenya portfolio.

The restaurant, dubbed the Grilll Shack, is located at Westgate Mall. Simbisa’s other local brands include Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Bakers Inn and Creamy Inn.

“We aim to bring a red meat concept that was developed in Dubai to Nairobi with our predominantly meaty menu of steaks, ribs and burgers in a casual yet industrial setting,” said Mr Salim Eceolaza, Simbisa managing director.

The restaurant’s menu is made up of a meaty menu of steaks, ribs and burgers with a selection of starters, burritos, salads and sea food.

The firm’s Kenya expansion plan comes amid increasing competition from global players in the fast food industry including Subway, Pizza Hut and Teritaki Japan that are turning to emerging markets such as Kenya for growth, attracted by rising disposable incomes and economic growth.

The Global Cities 2018 report states that the spend on eating out and restaurants in Kenya will increase by 77 percent from Sh84.8 billion ($848 million) to Sh105 billion ($1.5 billion) over the next decade.

The increase in restaurant spend is mirrored in the hotel sector, with the chase for consumer hunger seen with the entry of international brands and rapid expansion especially fast food franchises, says the report.

Zimbabwe and Kenya currently have the largest number of Simbisa restaurant outlets. It has 193 counters in Zimbabwe and 205 abroad.

In Kenya, Simbisa opened eight new outlets and closed four, bringing the total to 121 as at June 30 last year.