Zimbabwe’s largest fast-food restaurant operator, Simbisa Brands, has added 402 more jobs in Kenya, after opening 15 additional stores in the country in the year ended June, to tap increased demand for fast food by the middle class.
The company says in its latest annual report that it hired a total of 2,995 staff in the review period, up from 2,593 employees a year earlier.
The owner of Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn and Galitos has been on an expansion drive in the country, in a market where rivals are also expanding their footprint. Out of the 15 stores opened in Kenya in the year to June, six were Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn and two were Galitos outlets.
The company closed two Bakers Inn and three Creamy Inn, signaling a shift in preference to chicken and pizzas from baked goods.
The group has 63 Chicken Inn’s in Kenya, up from 57 branches the prior year, while the number of Pizza Inns has grown to 74 from 68. That of Galitos increased to 36 from 34.
Many of the fast food joints are located at petrol stations and densely populated areas, allowing customers to dine in store or take away their orders.
“Simbisa Brands Limited has had a strong year, recording good overall revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation growth of 23 percent and nine percent, respectively. This success can be attributed to various factors, including the expansion of our store footprint and continued development of the Group’s digital channels,” the multinational said.
The company is on a continental expansion drive and plans to add 36 stores in the financial year ending June 2025, in different countries including Kenya.
“In the financial year 2025, we plan to expand our footprint by opening 25 new counters in Zimbabwe, nine in Kenya, and two in Eswatini,” said Simbisa.
“Additionally, we will modernise our existing store network through refurbishments and upgrades of our older stores, ensuring a fresh and inviting 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 part of everyday life and online deliveries are growing rapidly as customers discover convenience on all levels, be it product customisation, mobile-optimised search, quick checkout processes, or hassle-free delivery.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for food delivered fast has skyrocketed.
Local and international fast food chain stores including KFC with new outlets across the country have seen a growing appetite for chicken, burgers and pizzas among Kenyans.
“The App-usage in Kenya has increased significantly; in June 2023, 46 per cent of delivery orders were placed through the App, versus 54 per cent placed through the call centre,” said Simbisa.
“This has increased significantly over the year, with 67 percent of orders placed through the App in June 2024.”
