Java will open five new stores by October as the rivalry grows

Restaurant chain Java House plans to open five more locations in Kenya by October as it expands in a market that is becoming increasingly competitive with growth and the entry of more fast-food brands.

The coffeehouse said it will open two branches at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and another at Mombasa‘s Moi International Airport, targeting the hundreds of travelers passing through the facilities.

Java will also open a branch in Eastleigh in Nairobi as well as in Machakos Town to spread its wings across the countries.

“We are opening five Java branches through October due to increased demand for our services in the market,” said Derrick Van Houten, chief executive of Java House Africa Group Business Daily in an interview.

“You also need to know that the business is back on its feet and we are making money and therefore need to grow.”

The opening of five stores will bring the total number of stores in the East Africa region to 87. Java currently has 75 offices in Kenya, four in Uganda and three in Rwanda.

There is increased competition in the fast-food category as competitors offering near-similar portions expand into the major cities and towns where wealthy and middle-class consumers are concentrated.

Simbisa Brands, owners of Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Bakers Inn and Creamy Inn, plans to open 55 more stores across the country in the near future.

Other fast food chains are KFC and Subway. Businesses are recovering from the lockdowns and other restrictions that hampered eating out during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

[email protected]