Fast-food chain embarks on nationwide expansion drive

Michael Magoronga
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FAST FOOD restaurant chain, Chicken Hut, has embarked on an expansion drive that will see the company opening more than 10 outlets across the country in the next year.

So far, the Portuguese restaurant chain has two shops in Harare and one each in Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Gweru, Victoria Falls, and Hwange.

The restaurant chain had shelved its expansion programme due to the adverse impact of Covid-19 but a number of projects have been lined up after the pandemic.

The company has also introduced a variety of services including diaspora deliveries, curbside pick-ups, and most recently the Popup concept that is meant to get more people to access the restaurant services across the country.

Pop-up stores are virtual kitchens that make it easier to deliver to customers in a specific location and also to test the business viability in the area before opening new stores.

Head of communications, Miss Kudzai Muchechetere, said they have introduced a new concept in partnership with Tiger Wheel and Tyres, as well as Halsteds.

“You will find that we will be introducing these Pop-up stores in every conducive place where there is either Tiger Wheel and Tyres or Halsteds. This is so that we reach out to our customers instead of the other way round,” she said.
“And if the area proves to be viable, we proceed to open a store in that area. Victoria Falls and Gweru stores will be closed and replaced by Pop-up stores.

“These are areas we have struggled to remain afloat and we are replacing them with the Pop-up stores. But the remaining branches will remain functional.”

Miss Muchechetere said in the next four months, the restaurant chain earmarks to open up more shops with the bulk of them being in Harare.

“We are set to open more branches in Madokero, Eastlea, Borrowdale, and Highlands all in Harare and one more in Marondera. All these places have been tested through Pop-ups and have proven to be viable hence the move to open stores there,” she said.

Before year end, the restaurant group is targeting to open branches in Mutare, Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Zvishavane, Beitbridge and another branch in Bulawayo.