NIGERIA – Food Concepts Plc, West Africa’s leading multi-brand restaurant platform, has promoted Mr Kofi Abunu to the post of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Mr Kofi who was the company’s Divisional Managing Director-Business Development prior to the appointment, succeeds Mr David Butler who is set to step down on 7th March 2022.

This follows the expiration of Mr Butler’s contract of employment, having led the company with great success since 2014.

Mr Kofi, who joined the company in 2007, was selected and appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer following a rigorous and structured process that was conducted over a 12-month period.

“The company has been in a very fortunate position to have a great pool of talent; hence the appointment falls in line with the Company’s deep commitment to developing and producing talent from within the organisation.

“This appointment from within reflects our Company’s commitment to human resource development,” stated Food Concepts.

Kofi has over 28 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry and a diploma in hotel management.

He also has a BA (Hon) International Business and Marketing from the University of London and CIMA UK.

He previously worked at McDonald’s (UK), Nando’s, and Innscor/Famous Brands (Steers and Debonairs).

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Ayo Olagundoye, Chairman of Food Concepts Plc said, “We are proud and pleased to welcome Mr Kofi Abunu as Managing Director of the Company driving our ambitious strategy both within and outside Nigeria, we wish him the best and assure him of the full support of the Board.

“Equally, we pay tribute to David Butler for his exemplary leadership, vision, and passion which have built Food Concepts into one of the great retail success stories in West Africa, and offer our sincere thanks for all he has done for the Company and our over 5,000 people”.

Mr David Butler expressed confidence that Mr Kofi Abunu will make strong contributions to the Company and its future strategic development plans.

As part of its executive reshuffling, Food Concepts named Mrs Anthonia Agbonifo, currently an Executive Director, to a new function as Director of International Finance & Shared Services.

Her portfolio will include overseeing domestic and international financing for the Company, as well as leading the Shared Services team.

Meanwhile, Mr Ikenna Okongwu, currently the Divisional Managing Director, Operations, has also been appointed as an Executive Director and will join the Board of Directors, effective 7th March 2022.

Recently, the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) operator welcomed a new partner in its business to steer it to future growth.

Development Partners International (DPI), the main investor of the company sold its 31% stake of the fast-food chain to African Capital Alliance (ACA), a leading pan-African alternative investment firm.

Following the deal, ACA and DPI will work together to support Food Concepts on its next phase of growth and help drive the business’ regional expansion strategy.

Established in 2001, Food Concepts has over 180 stores across Nigeria and Ghana trading under the Chicken Republic, PieXpress and Chop Box brands.

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