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  • March 2020
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Cafe Kenya

By: Lynda M. Applegate and James T. Kindley
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
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Abstract

This case describes Café Kenya (CK), a Kenyan-based chain of casual quick-food restaurants. The chain was started in 2011 in Nairobi by Nekesa Kuria. Kuria started Café Kenya and grew it by reinvesting profits into company stores and through franchising. She also concentrated on getting the details right, and she helped this effort by hiring the best people possible. Further, she feels a responsibility to help other African women succeed as business owners. The company is very successful. By early 2019, CK had 28 stores, 21 of which are franchised. All the stores are in major cities in Kenya, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. Kuria is considering several options to grow CK, including organic growth, equity investment from an outside partner, and a buyout offer. Each involves tradeoffs that Kuria must decide among. The case can be used to discuss issues such as entrepreneurial ventures, managing a service business, human resource management, and options for growth. It is recommended for upper-level undergraduate students or MBA students in entrepreneurship courses.

Keywords

Restaurants; Entrepreneurship; Business Startups; Growth and Development Strategy; Kenya

Citation

Applegate, Lynda M., and James T. Kindley. "Cafe Kenya." Harvard Business School Brief Case 920-551, March 2020.
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About The Author

Lynda M. Applegate

Entrepreneurial Management
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Related Work

    • March 2020
    • Faculty Research

    Cafe Kenya (Brief Case)

    By: Lynda M. Applegate and James T. Kindley
    • March 2020
    • Faculty Research

    Cafe Kenya, Spreadsheet for Instructors (Brief Case)

    By: Lynda M. Applegate and James T. Kindley
    • March 2020
    • Faculty Research

    Cafe Kenya, Spreadsheet for Students (Brief Case)

    By: Lynda M. Applegate and James T. Kindley
Related Work
  • Cafe Kenya (Brief Case) By: Lynda M. Applegate and James T. Kindley
  • Cafe Kenya, Spreadsheet for Instructors (Brief Case) By: Lynda M. Applegate and James T. Kindley
  • Cafe Kenya, Spreadsheet for Students (Brief Case) By: Lynda M. Applegate and James T. Kindley
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