KENYA – Talaat Moustafa Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Egypt has opened the most luxurious food hall in Open Air Mall in Madinaty, Cairo Governorate.

Open Air Mall is one of the largest and most sophisticated shopping destinations that follow a modern lifestyle in Egypt and the Middle East, as it combines open-air areas and 8 buildings overlooking the vast green areas and artificial lakes, extending over a rental area of 92,000 square meters.

The food hall, located on the third building, will host more than 30 restaurants from the best and most famous local, regional and international chains catering to every taste.

According to the company, the mall has been operational in a “soft launch” mode since 2019 with the opening of two of its eight buildings, one of which anchored by Carrefour Hypermarket.

Still in the food service arena, US-based fast-food chain KFC plans to open a new branch in Kenya in what is shaping up to be a major competition among both local and international rival brands.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, which operates locally through franchisee Kuku Foods East Africa, will open the new outlet at Maiyan Mall, Rongai whose anchor tenant is Naivas Supermarket.

The new outlet will raise KFC’s national branch count to 25 and comes nine months after it opened its Mombasa one in March. It also has outlets in Uganda and Rwanda.

KFC’s recent expansion moves follows the appointment of its new CEO Jacques Theunissen, who has been charged to oversee the food chain’s growth strategy.

The expansion comes at a time Kenya has seen increased interest from global fast-food outlets fuelled by a growing demand for snacks and meals.

Increased activity in this segment has also coincided with the rise in the construction of new malls, offering retailers a concentration of well-heeled shoppers.

Recently, Artcaffe Group, owned by US private equity firm Emerging Capital Partners (ECP), announced its expansion plan seeking in the East African economy with the opening of four new outlets in Nairobi.

The new branches will be opened in the next four weeks at Britam Tower in Upper Hill, Shell petrol stations on the Northern bypass, Eastern bypass road and Rhapta road.

Players such as Java House, Dominos, Simbisa Brands and Big Square, among others are in quest to expand their presence in the vibrant market.

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