Domino’s Pizza opens in Kenya

Another U.S. Chain, the renowned Domino’s Pizza along with its sister ice-cream parlour chain, Cold Stone Creamery have entered the potentially lucrative Kenya market. This follows a spirited foray by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) into the East Africa.  

 Dominos yanked open its doors at Fortis Towers in Westlands at a launch presided over by the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec.  Domino’s Pizza has more 10,000 stores worldwide and Kenya is its 73^rd market. 

Kenya is the 23^rd market for Domino’s sister brand, Cold Stone Creamery, which offers a variety of ice cream flavors with amazing mix ins & toppings, ice cream cakes, ice cream cup cakes with edible shells, frozen yoghurts, smoothies and shakes. 

Mr. Codec said the chain’s entry in the East African market is premised on the fact Africa is the fastest growing continent in the world after Asia. “Kenya is particularly attractive as a business hub, Dominos is following other American brands such as Ocean Basket, Naked Pizza GM, IBM, Cisco, GE and the recently launched Mobius.    

 

Domino’s Pizza, which recently opened a chain in Nigeria is now planning to produce more pizza for the continent by opening more outlets in South Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa's economic resurgence is fanning an investment drive by fast food chains eager to tap into the Africa’s burgeoning middle class.

Last year, Yum! Brands; the owner of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut – ventured into Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe to give consumers an experience of U.S. cuisine.

Domino’s move to open its franchises in many different African countries will brings more jobs to the continent.  In Kenya alone, the chain has created 180 jobs. Their expansion will help the chain become a household name in a market where they have previously been unheard of and spread their brand globally.