The Quick Service Restaurant(QSR) business model better known as fast food restaurants have been a popular way for people to get a bite to eat world wide for decades now. However, in Sub-saharan Africa, this phenomenon of Fast Food Restaurants has seen a sudden upsurge in popularity over the last 15-20 years. Kenya has not been left behind and in the last 15 years or so, popular internationally acclaimed and popular fast food chains have been clamouring to get a slice of the Kenyan Pie. Through Franchising, these brands that were only heard of and seen on Tv Shows and Movies have become household names and accessible to your average Kenyan. Here are the most Popular Fast Food Restaurants in Kenya;
1. PIZZA INN
As the name might suggest, this restaurant owned and operated by Sambisa Brands; a subsidiary of Innscor Africa¬- both Zimbabwean Companies has been operating in Kenya for over 10 years deals primarily in Pizza and pizza related products such as Pizza Pies and twisty bread.
Probably the most popular fast food restaurant in Kenya, Pizza Inn have one of the best known marketing campaigns known as Terrific Tuesday, where every Tuesday, a person can buy 2 Pizzas at a significantly reduced price. 2 Large Pizzas are sold at Kshs. 1,100, while 2 Medium Pizzas are sold at Kshs. 800.
On Tuesdays, long lines can be seen in majority of the 41 Pizza Inn outlets across Kenya. With a wide variety of pizza flavours to choose from, you will definitely find a pizza flavour on the menu that you will love.
Menu:
Price Range: Kshs.250- Kshs.1,300
Service Time:12-15 Minutes
2. CHICKEN INN
Another restaurant chain owned and operated by the Zimbabwean Company Sambisa Brands, Chicken Inn is a fast food restaurant that serves Fried as well as rotisserie Chicken and as of 2015, in chicken and beef Burgers. In operation for over 10 years in Kenya,
Chicken Inn has been on a steady upward trajectory brought about by smart marketing strategy, fair pricing and combo meals.
Here, a person can get a combo meal of Fries, Chicken and a Soda for as low as Kshs.330; which is significantly lower than the price for the same combo meals from their direct market competitors. With 32 outlets across Kenya, you can be sure to enjoy one of their 38 menu items and combos without feeling the pinch financially.
Menu:
Price Range: Kshs.130 - Kshs.1,210
Service Time: Under 10 Minutes
3. GALITOS
Yet another Sambisa brands fast food restaurant, Galitos is sort of the high maintenance child of the Sambisa Brands Family. This restaurant chain deals solely in Flame Grill chicken that you can get in three flavours; Lemon & Herb, Mild, Hot and Extra Hot Compared to its sister outlets Pizza Inn and Chicken Inn, Galitos’ menu is slightly limited and more expensive.This explains why Sambisa Brands only operates 15 Galitos outlets in Kenya. Although you will have to pay more for your meal, the quality of food at Galitos is very high and you will enjoy great flame grilled chicken.
Menu:
Price Range: Kshs. 170 – Kshs.1,760
Service Time: 10 – 15 Minutes
4. BURGER KING
Opening their first store in Kenya in 2016, this internationally acclaimed American fast food restaurant chain has been steadily expanding in Kenya; operating 5 stores as of 2020. This American fast food franchise was introduced in Kenya by French Company Servoir (Owner of NAS Airport Services) through a franchise agreement with Restaurants Brands International who own Burger King. Restaurant Brands International boasts Warren Buffet as a Shareholder. Burger King deals primarily in Burgers, serving a variety from Beef Burgers, Chicken Burgers and Vegan Burgers.
The most popular menu item as is in most, if not all of the Burger King’s 5 outlets is the Whopper™; a large Burger made of a large flame grilled beef patty, Lettuce, Tomatoes and Onions in between two in-store made buns.
In Kenya Burger King might be considered a bit expensive by your average Kenyan and its prices are a bit higher as compared to its competitors, but it is surely worth every shilling.
Price Range: Kshs.250 – Kshs.1000
Service Time: Under 10 Minutes
5. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
The 2nd largest fast food chain in the world entered the Kenyan market in 2011 to much hype and excitement by Kenyans. KFC, owned and operated by East Africa franchise owner Kuku Foods East Africa Holdings boasts a specialised menu of mainly chicken.
With its world famous fried chicken made with a secret recipe comprising of 11 herbs and spices, it’s no wonder Kenyans fell in love with the brand and were quick to try the world famous fried chicken upon the opening of their first store at the Junction Mall in 2011.
KFC’s popularity has been on the upward trajectory, despite being slightly more expensive as compared to it’s main competitor in the fried chicken market, Chicken Inn. The popularity of KFC’s fried chicken and introduction of budget combo meals known as Streetwise has seen the franchise expand and open new branches in various towns in Kenya. The number of KFC stores in Kenya as at 2020 stands at 30.
Price Range: Kshs. 200 – Kshs. 3,150
Service time: Under 10 Minutes
6. DOMINO'S PIZZA
Another American fast food juggernaut entered the Kenyan market in 2014. Through it’s Kenyan franchise owner Om Nom Nom Limited, also owns the Kenyan franchise for Coldstone Creameries introduced both brands in Kenyan at the same time; that is why, when you visit any Domino's in Kenya, you are most likely to see a Coldstone right next to it.
Domino's Pizza, as the name might suggest, sells primarily pizza with customers able to choose from its 16 different pizza flavours.
Domino's also serves other fast food favourites such as Chicken Wings and bread sticks. Domino's dynamism was seen when they introduced the Swahili Pizza to its menu incorporating local tastes and flavours to its menu. With fantastic customer service and rapid delivery, you will surely enjoy Domino's. You can check the Domino's Pizza Kenya Menu Here.
Price Range: Kshs. 300 – Kshs. 1,400
Service time: Under 10 Minutes
7. STEERS
The original flame grill burger fast food restaurant. Steers are a South African owned fast food restaurant that first opened its doors in Kenya in 1996 For years, Steers was the only place where you could get a flame grilled burger at an affordable price. Their menu includes beef burger combo meals, sides like fries and onion rings and have also started selling fried chicken. Owned and operated by South African company Famous Brands, Steers have seen it’s popularity in the market dwindle, Coupled by competition from other internationally acclaimed companies within their niche in the QSR business like Burger King and KFC, as well as other external business factors, Steers was forced to close 2 of their outlets in the Central Business District (CBD), leaving just one branch operating in the CBD.
Although it may seem that Steers has seen its best days now that customers are spoilt for choice when they crave a burger, Steers is still in the market and trying to keep up with its competitors. Since Kenyans love 2 for 1 offer, Steers offer 2 Burgers at Kshs. 350 every Wednesday in a promo dubbed Wacky Wednesday for more than ten years.
This price, is the lowest 2 for 1 offer in the market, with its main competitor Burger King offering the same deal at Kshs. 900. Steers’ longevity in the Kenyan market is a testament to the quality of food they serve and the great service they offer. You can find the Steers Menu Here.
Price Range: Kshs.250- Kshs.4,600
Service time: Under 10 minutes
8. SUBWAY
This is a fast food chain that has found what they do better than everyone else and stuck to it. This American fast food chain first opened its doors in Kenya in 2013 after Liberty Eagle acquired the franchise to operate subway in East Africa.
Subway specialises in selling sandwiches with customers free to choose from 11 different Sandwiches on the menu. These sandwiches can either be a footlong (12 inches) or a 6 inch.
Subway’s popularity is steadily growing and thus they have been able to expand and open more stores across Kenya. You can find the Subway Kenya menu Here.
Price Range: Kshs.400 – Kshs.900
Service Time: Under 10 Minutes