HOW TO START A FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT IN KENYA 2022
Consumer appetite for fast food is on the rise, a report by Jumia indicates that consumers spend on average Ksh.2000 for a meal on Jumia Foods. Further studies by Africa Development Bank indicate that the estimated market size for online food and beverage is Sh1.8 billion and is projected to reach Sh3.8 billion by 2024. The fast food industry is on the rise and very profitable. Would you be interested in a piece of that market? This article gives you guidelines on how you can start a fast-food restaurant in 2022 and take your piece of the sh3.8 bn market by 2024. Let’s get started.
- Choose the right location.
This is a critical factor that can determine your success or failure. Fast food restaurants are best suited in densely populated areas. When you are located in a busy street with a high foot fall, the probability of someone hungry coming your way increases 10 folds. As much as location is important, accessibility and visibility also matter in your efforts to attract customers. Ideally, you should be located on the ground floor and the front of the building where you can be seen and accessed easily.
- Get the necessary business permits.
For you to operate your business without any legal issues with county constables (Kanjos), you will need the necessary business permits from your county authorities. Last time I checked, for you to get a single business permit for a business with up to five employees in Nairobi, you will need Ksh.10,000.
Other additional licenses that you may require are the Food and Hygiene license, a food handlers’ certificate, and a fire certificate. The food and hygiene certificate is issued by a public health officer upon inspection of your business to make sure it is safe and clean to prepare food.
- Have a marketing plan
Marketing should be in your business plan; it is the only way to let people know about your restaurant. Have a budget for your business marketing with the goal of attracting new customers and increasing your sales. Research competitive ways to market your restaurant without hurting your finances. Some of the cheap and effective ways to market your fast-food business are through word of mouth. For professional marketing including website development and SEO contact us we have a chat about it. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is to offer excellent customer services that will leave any customer happy and satisfied, a happy customer will be your free marketing agent in their social network.
- Decide on the staff uniform.
This aspect has been taken for granted but nonetheless it’s very crucial. The first impression is very important and as such, all the staff members must look good, hygienic and well dressed. There is a lot to choose from ranging from chef coats, T-shirts to aprons. When starting out it is ideal to have a low-cost uniform so that you can minimize an additional cost.
- Get the required number of staff
Having a great team behind the counter and in the kitchen can really help your business in its path to success. The Chef is probably the most important person on your team, as they not only cook, and design the menu; they also lead and guide the rest of the kitchen staff. In a takeaway kitchen, a minimum of 5-6 employees is required in the kitchen. Out of them, two chefs are required who have a fair knowledge of every department of the kitchen.
- Register your fast-food business name.
Your business name is not just a name but it’s your brand name. You need to take time to come up with a business name that represents who you are and your ideal customer. Consulting a branding professional like Newsline can be useful, as we understand what we do.
Once you identify that business name that is compelling to your ideal customer and reflects on who you are, you need to officially register it so that no one can use the same name for their business. You can register through the e-citizen portal.
- Launch your business
Once you have all the legal requirements in place, the necessary cooking equipment, and personnel, there is a marketing plan in place and all logistics are taken care of, it’s time to enter the sh1.8bn industry. Although you may have specialized in takeaway foods, it’s good to have some furniture in place just in case someone wants to eat at the place.
