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Friday 20 June 2014

IS NIGERIA READY FOR COMBO MEALS?

I grew up knowing Mr. Biggs and..... well, just Mr. Biggs. My dad used to take us kids like twice a year. During Christmas and of course Easter celebrations. It was like a silent agreement and a treat that we all looked forward to. Such nice memories. Things have dramatically changed. So many fast food outlets have sprung up and Mr. Biggs has become a shadow of its former self. I guess the competition was too strong. As Nigeria's economy grows, multinational companies are flocking to the country to tap into a sophisticated middle class. With a population of around 170 million people, Nigeria's economic potential has attracted firms like Shoprite who has seven profitable stores. Fast food is not as we know it any more. From just being chicken pie or meat pie, scotch egg and sausage, it has grown to be burger with fries and a drink referred to as a combo meal. Fast food companies that offer such are expanding into Nigeria with many treading cautiously unsure that the country is ready for combo meals. International companies like Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Johnny Rockets are already here providing combo meals to many. But even with the positive opportunities that exists in our dear country, running such businesses is not without its challenges. Multinationals cite poor infrastructure, corrupt port authorities, supply chain problems and road networks as challenges being experienced. I had my first combo meal few years back. I loved it; it became like a monthly experience but then I thought of how much weight I was adding. Oh, dear! I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me my next line of action. So, are we ready for combo meals? Is it an experience you would love to have daily, weekly, monthly or just during celebrations?
We did a story on it recently. I hope for companies like Johnny Rockets who are looking to expand and open more eateries in Nigeria, that the infrastructure challenges will become a thing of the past in the coming years.
Please click on link below to watch the story:




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