Quick-service restaurant chain Chicken Cottage has opened a new outlet at Shell Thome on Thika Road, signaling Express Kitchen’s push to scale operations along Nairobi’s high-traffic commuter corridors.

The outlet, located just after Mountain Mall, targets a fast-growing catchment of residents, workers, and daily commuters along Thika Road, an area that has seen rapid expansion in housing, offices, and retail developments.

Operated by Express Kitchen — which also runs Papa John’s Kenya — the new store forms part of the group’s strategy to embed food outlets within service stations, positioning them as one-stop convenience hubs where customers can refuel, shop, and purchase meals in a single stop.

“Thika Road is one of the fastest-growing areas in the city,” said Express Kitchen Managing Director Ayan Ali. “Our focus is on being present where customers already are, rather than relying on destination travel.”

The Thika Road outlet is Chicken Cottage’s ninth in Kenya. Express Kitchen plans to open eight additional outlets in 2026, prioritising locations that improve accessibility and reduce travel time for customers.

Beyond Nairobi, the company is evaluating expansion into regional towns such as Nakuru and Eldoret, with longer-term plans to enter Uganda and Tanzania.

According to Head of Operations Pauline Nganga, tthe new outlet operates under the same kitchen and service standards used across the network, supported by regular staff training, in-store preparation, and routine quality checks. Chicken Cottage is fully Halal certified.

The opening also supports employment growth. Express Kitchen currently employs more than 200 staff and expects to create between 75 and 100 additional jobs in 2026 as expansion continues.

The Shell Thome launch reinforces Express Kitchen’s strategy of steady, location-driven growth as it builds a wider network of everyday food destinations across Kenya.

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