Java opens branch 62 in Parklands

Restaurant chain Java has opened a new branch at the Engen service station in Parklands, increasing the restaurant’s footprint to 62.

The new store follows Java’s announcement this year that it would invest heavily in Kenya expansion.

The end of the year has seen several restaurant chains open new outlets in Nairobi.

Both Java and US-based fast foods chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have opened two new branches in December and plan further expansion in 2019.

Early this month, Java opened an outlet at a Shell service station in Lavington, furthering their partnership with oil marketer Vivo Energy which trades in Kenya under the Shell brand name.

In December last year, Vivo Energy Investments BV acquired South African Engen Oil’s assets in Kenya. Vivo said it would complete the acquisition of Engen’s business by March 2019.

However, the Competition Authority of Kenya in July ordered Vivo to sell Engen’s stations on Parklands and on Enterprise roads on grounds that the company would face little competition in those areas.

The competition watchdog directed Vivo to sell the Parklands Engen branch within three years.

The transaction will see Vivo acquire 13 of the 15 Engen service stations it targeted.