Simbisa Brands, Zimbabwe’s largest fast food restaurant operator, has added an additional 402 jobs in Kenya, after opening an additional 15 stores in the country in the year to June, to capitalize on growing demand for fast food from the middle class.
The company says in its latest annual report that it hired a total of 2,995 employees in the review period, up from 2,593 employees the previous year.
The owner of Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn and Galitos has been on an expansion drive in the country, in a market where competitors are also expanding their footprint. Of the 15 stores opened in Kenya in the year to June, six were Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn and two Galitos outlets.
The company closed two Bakers Inns and three Creamy Inns, signaling a shift in preference for chicken and pizza over baked goods.
The group has 63 Chicken Inn restaurants in Kenya, up from 57 branches the previous year, while the number of Pizza Inn rose to 74 from 68. The number of Galitos increased to 36 from 34.
Many fast food restaurants are located in gas stations and densely populated areas, allowing customers to eat in the store or take their order.
“Simbisa Brands Limited has had a strong year, recording healthy revenue and gross EBITDA of 23 percent and 9 percent, respectively. This success can be attributed to various factors, including expanding our store footprint,” the multinational company said. And the continuous development of the group’s digital channels.”
The company is undertaking a continental expansion drive and plans to add 36 stores in the financial year ending June 2025, in various countries including Kenya.
“In FY2025, we plan to expand our business by opening 25 new offices in Zimbabwe, nine in Kenya and two in Eswatini,” Simbisa said.
“In addition, we will modernize our existing store network by refurbishing and upgrading our older stores, ensuring a fresh and attractive environment for our customers… 36 counters are earmarked for upgrades in 2025, of which 27 will be in Zimbabwe, six in Kenya and three in Eswatini.
Takeaways are a part of everyday life and online deliveries are growing rapidly as customers discover convenience at all levels, be it product customization, mobile-enhanced search, quick checkouts, or hassle-free delivery.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for quickly delivered food has skyrocketed.
Local and international fast food chains, including KFC with new outlets across the country, have witnessed a growing appetite for chicken, burgers and pizza among Kenyans.
“Usage of the app in Kenya has increased significantly; in June 2023, 46% of delivery orders were placed through the app, compared to 54% through the call centre.
“This has increased significantly over the year, with 67 percent of orders placed via the app in June 2024.”
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