Java House is set to open a branch in Machakos County. Photo/IPKenya
Expansions of Local coffee chain Java House has continued to set up more outlets outside Nairobi with its first restaurant in Machakos County.Java House is investing Sh50 million to set up shop at Crystal Rivers Mall and Residences in Athi River.Java House Group chief executive Ken Kuguru said, “We found Crystal Rivers to be a very strategic location for our new restaurant — ideally positioned between Nairobi and Machakos, along Mombasa Road and right next to a rapidly expanding residential and commercial area”.December is the time set to open its doors, following its Eldoret and Kericho branches which are to open in September.Java has been expanding outside Nairobi with branches in Nanyuki, Kisumu, Naivasha and Nakuru with more planned for Thika.The company aims to set up a total of eight outlets by the end of this year.The company has also indicated it will open more outlets in Nairobi estates.56 will be the total number of outlets including the Athi River outlet opening in December, bringing it to double the network it had more than two years ago.ln the medium-term Java House has plans of expanding the brand to new African Countries.Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Group recently fully acquired the coffee chain, buying stakes held by its founder Kevin Ashley and Washington-based Emerging Capital Partners in a multi-billion shilling transaction.Abraaj said Java would continue to benefit from the tailwind of Africa’s rapidly expanding middle class, sustained population growth and increasing urbanisation.