•For The Control Of The Fast Food Market Business
If you drive through Lagos right now, the images of 2 fast-food restaurants will hit you instantly. They are the springing up of Chicken Republic & The Place Restaurant. They are the 2 hottest fast food outlets springing up everywhere like mushrooms, it is a thriving sector. There is no business in Lagos that makes the most money as much as the food business does. This reason and many more make a lot of investors in Lagos and across Nigeria go into the quick-service restaurant, QSR. In the past, the biggest company cashing out on QSR business were Mr Biggs, Tasty Fried Chicken (TFC) Tantalizers, Tetrazzini, Sweet Sensation and a few others. But lately, a quick market survey has revealed that the battle has been between old folks, Chicken Republic and one of the newest entrants, The Place.
Wherever you go in Lagos now, these two restaurants stand out in many ways. Their buildings both interior and exterior always have a captivating look that is so pleasant to the eyes. Even if you are not hungry, you may be tempted to stop by because of how beautiful they look. Chicken Republic most especially has put up a new look all over the state such that nobody needs to tell customers that it has rebranded.
City People’s Brands & Products paid a visit to the Ikoyi branch some weeks ago where it also saw its new and additional services. Before now, when it entered the fray about seventeen years ago, Chicken Republic outlets housed all food and pastries inside one building. But right now, under a new management, things have changed for the better.
ABOUT CHICKEN REPUBLIC
Chicken Republic is a proudly Nigerian brand that comes from humble beginnings. It opened its first Chicken Republic outlet in Lagos in 2004 and is presently trading in over 80 locations across Nigeria and Ghana. It has operated 100 Chicken Republic restaurants by the end of 2020 and has plans in place to operate over 300 stores by the end of 2023.
Its vision has been to be the most loved quick-service restaurant brand in West Africa. Chicken Republic’s “Taste More” philosophy encourages a bold spirit of adventure as it was set out to challenge the status quo by providing customers with tasty, everyday affordable value meals in clean, cool ambience that offer good customer service.
It invites customers to experience more as they interact with the brand and enjoy Soulfully Spiced Chicken and tasty sides, all flavoured to perfection with its unique blend of authentic West African herbs and spices.
Did you know that Chicken Republic is a committed supporter of Nigerian production? Most of its products are sourced directly from local, Nigerian suppliers. Its philosophy is “People Capability Always”. It prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer, with a strong focus on creating opportunities for women and young adults.
As a Nigerian brand, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles is synonymous with this brand. With the motto, “happy, but never content”, the brand’s quest for excellence, together with, its committed staff, local partnerships and loyal customers has led her to be the fastest-growing, chicken-focused, Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain in the country today.
Who Owns Chicken Republic?
Many people didn’t know that Chicken Republic is proudly owned by Food Concepts Plc founded by Deji Akinyanju. As such, it adheres to excellent corporate governance and sustainability practices. The Chicken Republic brand complies with SEC regulations, committed to by the Food Concepts Group.
Let’s also quickly tell you that Food Concepts is managed by a young, dynamic and highly-focused team, with an experience that spans business management, food operations, people management, supply chain management, marketing and financial management.
Their hard work, skill and dedication helps to drive the brand’s mission and deliver on the Food Concepts vision: To be the most loved quick-service restaurant and baked goods brands across West Africa. In 2015, Mr. David Butler was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer while Mrs. Anthonia Agbonifo was named the Chief Financial Officer.
Chairman, Food Concepts Plc, Mr. Deji Akinyanju, said, the firm is delighted to have secured the services of two highly experienced and talented executives. He said: “David and Anthonia joined Chicken Republic at a critical time of our growth. David will lead the continued transformation and growth strategy of Chicken Republic including, new concept stores as well as franchising that will support the Brand’s expansion strategy across West Africa.”
Mr. David Butler, Managing Director, Mrs. Anthonia Agbonifo Executive Director/Divisional Managing Director – Shared Services, Mrs. Claudette Russel Director – Human Resources, Olayinka Ogunleye, Divisional Managing Director – Supply Chain, Mrs. Josephine Johnson, ACIS, Company Secretary & Legal, Mr. Ikenna Okongwu, Divisional Managing Director – Operations and Mr. Kofi Abunu, Divisional Managing Director – Business Development.
HOW CHICKEN REPUBLIC HIT IT BIG
In 2015, Food Concepts (parent company of his food retail brands) signed a $20 million investment deal with the International Finance Corporation (the IFC), to improve its safety and corporate standards, and to expand into Ghana. In true entrepreneur style, despite his many ventures, Deji also ventured into chicken farming, opening a chicken farm 200km out of Lagos.
Today, there are super standard Chicken Republic outlets across Nigeria and overseas; all thanks to this deal. Right now, Chicken Republic offers efficient service delivery with effective online and delivery services as an added advantage. When you enter most Chicken Republic outlets today, it feels like home. A standard that most competitors are striving to meet.
THE PLACE RESTAURANT
The Place on the other hand is a proudly Nigerian Restaurant serving a variety of great tasty meals, in a friendly environment. With a modest beginning in 2008, it now boasts of nineteen (19) restaurants located in different parts of Lagos.
When it comes to catering for customers, The Place offers a variety of both local and international cuisines. Whether you want to grab a quick meal, eat in or take away, The Place Restaurant is the place to go. Its aim is to provide joy. Every customer who chooses The Place Restaurant leaves happy! Has this really been the case? Many customers who spoke about The Place have expressed delight at their service delivery. Brands & Products found out that one of the reasons for The Place’s fast growth in the Lagos has been its home-like meals that customers enjoy in an environment that feels like home indeed.
MEET THE PLACE OWNER, KOLA ADEWALE
Kola Adewale does not look like a restaurateur neither does he look like a hotelier. He is a complete gentleman but his brilliance in the corporate world specifically at KPMG has placed The Place on a pedestal that only few competitors can match.In his mid-forties, Adewale is unassuming, soft-spoken, calm but witty. He doesn’t cut the picture of a club owner, especially if flamboyance is what you attach to a restauranteur cum hotelier. He looks like the cerebral type, a blue-chip company executive.
THE PLACE’S UNIQUE SELLING POINT
Speaking on one of the ideas that separated The Place from many other restaurants, Kola Adewale says “The property in Ikeja was leased but Lekki was built from scratch, which explains the hotel on the top floor. It (Lekki) was built to specifications. It was a plain piece of paper start-up as against Ikeja where we got a three-bedroom house and kept tweaking it when it wasn’t our property. The landlady almost asked for her property back,” he laughs softly.
The Place is not just your regular restaurant, it also offers hotel, club and bar services. This alone makes it a place of choice for many youths, fun lovers. Its buildings are an appropriate meeting place for clients who want to discuss business over a meal.
KING OF THE NIGHT
Nightlife in any major city is a huge investment that promises a ROI almost immediately. With The Place, the nightlife is a norm. For the big boys and average people on the street, reservations are open. This venture is giving the brand an accolade not yet matched by any other in the industry
– DAMILARE SALAMI
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