Papa John’s pizza chain accelerates expansion with new outlets in Nairobi
The openings bring the Global Pizza chain Papa John’s total footprint in Kenya to 10 stores and form part of a broader strategy by local operator Express Kitchen to deepen market penetration after two years of operations in the country.
KENYA – Papa John’s Kenya, operated by Express Kitchen, has launched a strategic brand push to accelerate its expansion in Nairobi, opening new outlets at Shell service stations in Lavington and Thika Road, bringing its total network to 10 stores across the capital and Narok.
Less than two years since entering the market, the US pizza chain aims to add eight more locations this year, targeting high-traffic commuter routes to boost visibility and accessibility.
The Lavington outlet at Shell St Austin Petrol Station and Thika Road location beyond Mountain Mall capitalize on convenience retail, catering to on-the-go customers refueling amid Nairobi’s heavy traffic.
This shift from standalone high-street spots to fuel stops aligns with evolving consumer habits, reducing friction for quick grabs without mall parking hassles.
Promotional discounts on top-selling pizzas run through early February to draw crowds, emphasizing fresh, quality ingredients that define Papa John’s globally.
Ayan Ali, Director of Papa John’s Kenya, underscored job creation as central: “Our focus is employability, especially for youth and fresh graduates; outlet expansion scales those opportunities sustainably.”
With over 300 full- and part-time staff already, the growth is attracting more talent amid Kenya’s youth unemployment crisis, while prioritizing training in disciplined service and product handling to build trust in a competitive quick-service restaurant (QSR) landscape.
Current stores span Westlands, Kilimani, Ruaka, South C, Parklands, Spring Valley, Karen, and Narok, with plans to expand into Nakuru, Kisumu, and Eldoret for regional penetration.
In Kenya, the brand is also reframing its well-known “better ingredients” promise as an operational standard rather than a slogan, highlighting behind-the-scenes processes that shape the end product.
Olivia Oeri, Operations Lead, highlighted protective delivery measures to maintain freshness.
This expansion supports economic resilience amid rising costs and subdued spending, while embedding the brand in communities through strategic hubs.
In Kenya’s vibrant QSR scene, dominated by pizzas amid urbanization, the move positions Papa John’s for sustained growth, fostering local maize and wheat demand through dough production.
Analysts see it as a blueprint for international chains blending global appeal with localized convenience, potentially inspiring peers in agribusiness-linked hospitality.
Papa John’s Kenya is offering discounts on select top-selling pizzas at its two newest locations, Lavington (Shell St Austin Petrol Station) until Sunday, February 1, and Thika Road (Shell Service Station, just beyond Mountain Mall) until Saturday, February 7, 2026.
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