The opening of KFC’s first drive-thru outlet in Kenya two weeks ago left many guessing on who will join the fray next. Several global food chains such as Domino’s Pizza, Subway, Caramel, ice cream seller Cold Stone Creamery, and Ocean Basket have tapped into the growing Kenyan market and now it appears that 2015 there will be a new entrant, the McDonald’s.
Operating in more than 100 countries, the franchise had this year expressed its plans to open new branches with Nigeria heavily mooted. McDonald’s has however, signified its next stop to be in Kenya, after inviting investors with experience and willingness to devote full time to the McDonald’s restaurant business, knowledge of the real estate market and significant capital.
“We will retain all information sent to us in a database and give you consideration if we take steps to develop McDonald’s restaurants in Kenya,” they said in a statement.
A study conducted by Frontier Strategy Group which tracks emerging markets ranked Kenya as the most preferred destination in Africa for multinationals seeking entry to Africa. This appears to have given the global restaurants a greenlight to expand their footprints as portrayed by the growing number of the transnationals setting up their African headquarters in Nairobi.
Besides, Kenya has been ranked as a middle-income country and the disposable income from the middle class appears to be driving the global outlets to the country.
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