The Sunday News
Wilson Dakwa, Business Reporter
A NEW fast food outlet, Chicken Mastaz has been opened in Bulawayo, a major move set to increase competition among players in the sector.
The Bulawayo-based firm’s managing director, Mr Loren Ndhlovu, said $50 000 was invested in setting up the business.
“About $50 000 was invested into the establishment of the outlet and at the moment we have 14 employees of which we hope to largely increase this number based on market reception. Reception has been good so far. We opened shop last week and more than half of our clients have come back to buy and eat our food,” said Mr Ndhlovu.
Mr Ndhlovu said that he had been motivated to open the outlet to facilitate for a place in Bulawayo where people can hold private meetings and to also promote diversity and alternatives for people.
“There’s always a place for a good player. We are not competing with anyone because the established brands are too big but rather, we are providing consumers with alternatives, uniqueness and good food. Our flavours and spices are from Europe and other countries. We are engaging our customers to assist us to improve the quality of our food through feedback,” he said.
He said for now Chicken Mastaz was operating for about 15 hours daily and will soon achieve its aim of providing a 24 hour facility so as to promote convenience. He also said Chicken Mastaz will soon open a branch in Victoria Falls.
“Chicken Mastaz is a brand for Zimbabweans and in the near future we will be available nationwide in the next few years. This is our new baby in Bulawayo and I hope we will perfect our art here before branching out. Our next port of call is Victoria Falls so as to provide Zimbabwean cuisine to tourists who visit the resort town and also promote tourism,” he said.
Mr Ndhlovu appreciated that price increases had affected the fast food sector and in the process, retailers need to balance pricing and quality.
“For now, we are buying our chicken from certified local suppliers. Currently, we are building an abattoir on the outskirts of Bulawayo and this will be followed by breading to control our supply chain. Zimbabwe is going through many challenges such as price hikes at the moment and I think pricing has to go hand in hand with quality of goods and service,” said Mr Ndhlovu.
This week, the Government took major steps towards price controls by placing 16 products under a monitoring list. Products on the Government price watch list include cooking oil, sugar, laundry soap, cement, fuel, flour, rice fuel, milk, eggs, salt, beef, chicken, washing powder, bread and mealie-meal.
@WilsonDakwa1
