Excerpts from Java House CEO Derrick Van Houten in an interview with Business Daily [@BD_Africa]
1. On achievements after 4 months in charge:
"We were very low-key in delivery but we are now no. 2 regionally in deliveries in 3 months and that's phenomenal for me"
1. On achievements after 4 months in charge:
"We were very low-key in delivery but we are now no. 2 regionally in deliveries in 3 months and that's phenomenal for me"
2. On COVID-19 impact:
''When covid, hit our sales went down by a substantial margin. We therefore had to close down a few more branches to manage costs. We also decided to cut our workforce through a voluntary exit programme, an exercise that saw about 700 workers sent home"
''When covid, hit our sales went down by a substantial margin. We therefore had to close down a few more branches to manage costs. We also decided to cut our workforce through a voluntary exit programme, an exercise that saw about 700 workers sent home"
3. Will Java go into franchise deals?
''Franchising is an opportunity with Kukito. If we could get partners that who could build in Kukito as a franchise unit-that we will definitely do''
''Franchising is an opportunity with Kukito. If we could get partners that who could build in Kukito as a franchise unit-that we will definitely do''
4. How many more outlets under Kukito brand?
''The plan is to open 30 Kukito outlets in the next 5 years. The beauty of this brand is that you can put it up anywhere. You dont have to be in malls or fuel stations"'
''The plan is to open 30 Kukito outlets in the next 5 years. The beauty of this brand is that you can put it up anywhere. You dont have to be in malls or fuel stations"'
5. More Java branches in Kenya?
''We had actually secured some good sites in Nairobi but we had to put them on hold because of the covid situation. We are now ready and we are going to expand into those sites''
''We had actually secured some good sites in Nairobi but we had to put them on hold because of the covid situation. We are now ready and we are going to expand into those sites''
6. Measures to stay ahead of KFC/Artcaffe/other eateries:
''It's a fact that we are the biggest restaurant brand in EA. We have customers who believe in Java and you cant buy that. We have now become more efficient with the business. We have cut costs by going to cheaper spaces'
''It's a fact that we are the biggest restaurant brand in EA. We have customers who believe in Java and you cant buy that. We have now become more efficient with the business. We have cut costs by going to cheaper spaces'
7. Impact of COVID on Java compared to big hotels:
''Java unlike big chains was able to adapt by being able to deliver meals they already had in store that people already loved and this helped cushion our bottom line. Also our overheads are not as high as big hotel chains''
''Java unlike big chains was able to adapt by being able to deliver meals they already had in store that people already loved and this helped cushion our bottom line. Also our overheads are not as high as big hotel chains''
About Derrick Van Houten:
The former KFC executive joined Java House on March 1. He has also previously served as CEO of United Africa Company of Nigeria.
The former KFC executive joined Java House on March 1. He has also previously served as CEO of United Africa Company of Nigeria.
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