Vivo Energy, a pan-African fuel retailer, has entered a 50:50 joint venture with Kuku Foods East Africa Holdings to manage and expand KFC restaurants across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The partnership, pending regulatory approvals, will oversee existing locations while pursuing new openings, including a planned 2019 launch in Rwanda.
The deal excludes Kuku Foods Tanzania's five KFC outlets. Vivo Energy's service station network will serve as a key expansion platform, with potential for further regional growth. Kuku Foods, which launched its first East African KFC in 2011, will retain operational control of the franchise.
Vivo Energy CEO Christian Chammas highlighted the collaboration's role in increasing African access to KFC, referencing successful models in Botswana and Côte d’Ivoire. Kuku Foods CEO Derrick Van Houten emphasized the partnership's potential to enhance customer experience through Vivo Energy's retail infrastructure.
KFC Africa's Tarun Lal stated the joint venture would maintain service quality, noting the franchisee's ability to leverage Vivo Energy's network to improve accessibility and standards across the region.
