NAIROBI, Kenya,Jan 31 – UK based Fast-food operator Chicken Cottage has unveiled its new outlet at Shell Thome on Thika Road, in its expansion move as it scales operations along Nairobi’s high-traffic corridors and ramps up job creation.
The new store, located near Mountain Mall, becomes Chicken Cottage’s ninth outlet in Kenya.
The move is part of Express Kitchen’s wider strategy to place food outlets within service stations and commuter routes, targeting areas with growing residential and commercial activity.
Thika Road has emerged as a key growth zone, driven by rising housing developments, offices, schools and retail centres.
Express Kitchen Managing Director Ayan Ali said the corridor fits the company’s expansion model, which prioritises accessibility and volume over destination dining.
“Thika Road is one of the fastest-growing areas in the city, with people constantly moving in and out,” Ali said.
“We wanted to be where customers already are not somewhere they have to plan a special trip to reach.”
Express Kitchen, which also operates Papa John’s Kenya, plans to open eight additional outlets in 2026.
The expansion is expected to grow the group’s workforce from over 200 employees, with between 75 and 100 new jobs projected to be created during the year.
Beyond Nairobi, the company is assessing opportunities in regional towns such as Nakuru and Eldoret, alongside longer-term plans to enter Uganda and Tanzania as part of its East African growth strategy.
The Shell Thome outlet follows the same operational standards used across the chain, with in-store preparation and routine quality checks supported by local suppliers.
