KFC opens outlet at Game City

TUMELO SETSHOGO
Correspondent | Thursday May 28, 2009 00:00

 

Other fast-food chains in Botswana include Chicken Licken, Wimpy and Nando's. The KFC brand is managed by Boitumelo Dijo in Botswana.

With only a few tables inside but more outside, it is essentially al fresco, permitting diners to watch people go by as they eat. Up-market fashion stores Foschini, Jet and Options are close by.

Those in the know say three of the existing KFC outlets are to be re-modelled in the image of this new-fangled one at Game City. The chief executive of Food Management Services, a registered franchisee of KFC in South Africa, says KFC is increasing its presence in Botswana because 'the people of this country have been supportive to our business'.

Craig Donnelly says since KFC started with one shop on the Main Mall in Gaborone 20 years ago, it has experienced tremendous growth. But he is critical of an un-named previous management that he blames for neglecting Botswana's growth potential for what he claims is the world's biggest fast-food restaurant. 

Donnelly says another outlet is in the pipeline - or is it in the cooking? - for Molepolole next month, to be followed by four more for Gaborone and Francistown. Plans are to have 15 KFC outlets countrywide in the next three years; they will employ Batswana at all levels, including management.  

'Our company has a localisation plan to give locals an opportunity,' Donnelly says. There are currently three Batswana holding senior management positions at the KFC head office in Gaborone.

Donnelly says his company's plans include inviting local companies to supply its shops in Botswana. KFC currently imports most of its stock from South Africa, 'but we are going to start sourcing locally.'

With more outlets, marketing and promotions will also be done in Botswana, benefiting local advertising companies.

United States-based Yum Investment International owns the KFC brand worldwide.