Chicken Cottage has opened a new outlet at Shell Thome on Thika Road, just after Mountain Mall, adding another stop for commuters and nearby residents along one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors.
The store is operated by Express Kitchen, the local group that runs Chicken Cottage and Papa John’s Kenya. The new location reflects growing demand for quick, accessible meals along high-traffic routes where people already fuel, shop and pass through daily.
Thika Road has seen a steady rise in residential estates, offices, schools and retail centres over the past few years. For Express Kitchen, the corridor has become a natural next step in its expansion plans.
“Thika Road is one of the fastest-growing areas in the city, with people constantly moving in and out,” said Ayan Ali, Managing Director at Express Kitchen. “We wanted to be where customers already are – not somewhere they have to plan a special trip to reach.”
The Shell Thome site forms part of the group’s strategy to work with service stations, turning them into one-stop convenience points. Customers can refuel, run errands and pick up a meal in the same stop – a model the company says fits today’s on-the-go lifestyles.
“Convenience is no longer a bonus, it’s what people expect,” Ayan said. “Service stations make sense because they already sit along people’s daily routes.”
The new outlet is Chicken Cottage’s ninth in Kenya. Express Kitchen plans to open eight more stores in 2026, focusing on locations that reduce travel time for customers and increase accessibility across the city.
“This is still the early stage of our journey,” Ayan added. “We are growing steadily, one neighbourhood at a time.”
Beyond Nairobi, the company is also eyeing regional towns including Nakuru and Eldoret, with longer-term plans to enter Uganda and Tanzania.
At the Thika Road outlet, Chicken Cottage is maintaining the same kitchen and service standards used across its network, according to Head of Operations Pauline Nganga.
“Customers may notice the new space and the atmosphere, but what matters most is that the food tastes the same every time,” she said. “Our teams go through regular training, and all staff are aligned to the same preparation and service standards.”
Pauline said the brand relies on fresh chicken, frequent deliveries and in-store preparation, supported by routine quality checks with local suppliers.
Chicken Cottage is also fully Halal certified.
The opening adds to Express Kitchen’s growing workforce. The group currently employs more than 200 staff and expects to create between 75 and 100 additional jobs in 2026 as new outlets open.
Training and career development remain a key focus. The company runs internal growth programmes and works with partners such as Generation Kenya to support job readiness in the hospitality sector.
“We want people to see a future here,” Ayan said. “As the business grows, we want our teams to grow with it.”
For Express Kitchen, the Shell Thome opening is another step in building a network of accessible, everyday food destinations.
“It shows the confidence customers have placed in us,” Ayan said. “We want to be part of people’s daily routines, not just a place they visit occasionally.”
Related Content: Poultry Farmers Cry Foul as Machakos Slaps Ksh 20 Levy on Chicken Movement
