KENYA- Quick casual restaurant chain CJ’s has opened its first outlet in Mombasa, Kenya, as it broadens its reach in the country.
The new outlet is the chain’s seventh restaurant in the country and the first outside Nairobi. The other outlets are located in Kilimani, Koinange Street, Village Market, the Waterfront Mall (Karen) and the Imaara Mall.
The new restaurant features a design concept similar to that of its Nairobi outlets.
The Mombasa outlet has thick glass walls and features an elaborate interior design with high ceilings. It also features neo-classical colour accents, pastel colour schemes and plush furniture that provide a unique ambience.
The new restaurant is also dotted with green plants and vases and florescent pendant lights that further enhance the restaurant’s warm ambiance.
According to the chain, it has a diverse menu for any time of the day. The menu has 300 different items, which cater to Italian, British and American tastes. The menu is also family friendly, offering ranger and children meals.
The new restaurant chain also assures customers of generous portions, fast and efficient customer service to complement the inviting ambience.
CJ’s is an offshoot of Café Javas, a popular quick casual chain in Kampala. It is part of the Mandela group of companies owned by Ugandan business mogul Ahmed Omar Mandela.
Mandela opened his first outlet along Bombo Road in Kampala, Uganda. He has since opened other branches across Uganda. The chain has 8 outlets in Kampala and one in Entebbe.
CJ’s first entered the Kenyan market in 2018, with its first outlet located on Koinange Street in downtown Nairobi.
However, the restaurant’s entry into the Kenyan market was challenged by a lawsuit by Java House, which sought to block the chain’s entry into the country. Java House argued there was a close similarity in the two restaurant’s names.
The restaurant chain was forced to rebrand, hence the name CJ’s.
According to the mogul, the restaurant’s unique Parisian café concept has become increasingly popular in Kenya over the past decade because of customers’ appreciation of the brand as a centre of social and culinary life.
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