Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), a global chain of fried chicken fast-food restaurants, has openeda drive-through eatery at Chichiri Shopping Centre in Blantyre.
The eatery, the third in Malawi run by Afribrands Limited, has created 80 jobs and cost K1 billion with Icon Properties, a subsidiary of Nico Holdings plc who owns the space, contributing K500 million while Afribrands pumped in K600 million.
Speaking during the opening yesterday, Icon Properties chief executive officer Ellen Nyasulu said the Malawi Stock Exchange-listed firm believes in responding to the needs of the people by selling space to investors to enhance the country’s development.
“We noted that Malawians require convenience and a one-stop shopping experience. This is why we put up this drive- through to give the nation desirable infrastructure fit for the ever-changing world,” she said.
Afribrands Limited principal operator and director Hamza Tayub said besides creating jobs, they have also opened opportunities for other suppliers such as those in spices and vegetables business.
He said: “This is a big for us as a company in Malawi as we are trying to promote investments in Malawi.
“This is certainly not the last as we are trying to explore other areas in the country where we can equally open other restaurants.”
Tayub said they are looking forward to large-scale investments to boost businesses for suppliers of potatoes and poultry, among others.
Blantyre City deputy mayor Funny Baraba Kanonjerera described the investment as a positive step towards the development of the commercial city.
“This has certainly added to the beauty of the city and we are glad it has provided jobs in our city. We call upon other investors to follow suit and come through to invest in the city of Blantyre,” he said.
KFC is a modern restaurant which has spill-over effects to the other sectors such as agriculture with vegetables and potatoes as major inputs in the food processing value chain.
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