US pizza chain – Papa John’s- will soon enter Kenya and the Ugandan market by opening a chain of restaurants through regional franchisees.
The company has appointed Kitchen Express, a subsidiary of AAH Limited, as its master franchisee for Kenya and Uganda.
Kitchen Express is a subsidiary of AAH Limited, the majority shareholder of Hass Petroleum Group, which operates 140 petrol stations in 10 African countries. Under the deal, Papa John’s, which currently operates in 48 international countries and territories around the globe, will open outlets at Hass’s properties in Kenya and Uganda, starting with Nairobi.
Talking about the potential in the Sub-Saharan African market, Amanda Clark, Papa Johns chief development officer, said, “Establishing ourselves in Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time presents a great opportunity for Papa Johns to deliver on our…promise and continue our global momentum as a brand,”
For Hass, the deal will help it to grow its non-fuel business. Oil marketers are increasingly seeking to attract small consumer-focused businesses to their properties, a model that is meant to bring them rental income besides boosting fuel sales, The East African reported
“We are excited to partner with Papa Johns as it continues its expansion around the globe,” said Abdinasir Ali Hassan, chairman of Kitchen Express and Hass Petroleum Group, in a statement.
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International is the third-largest pizza company in America. The American pizza chain currently operates in 48 international countries and territories around the globe. The company also seeks potential franchisees in Brazil, Japan, Latin America, Spain, Portugal, and Southeast Asia.
