Fast
food outlets
bearing the 'Kenchic'
brand name will not be allowed to use it from March 31, following the poultry processing firm's withdrawal of rights.
The company's operations manager said the decision to withdraw the 'Kenchic Inn' brand name was reached in light of Kenya's rapidly evolving food market.
"At the end of the period the Kenchic Inn brand or any associated logos or colours can no longer be used," states a letter to outlets, signed by Philip Carolan, operations manager for processing and sales distribution.
"These are not franchises to begin with,"
Carolan told The Star, promising to shed more light on this move on Thursday morning.
Kenchic performed strongly in the 2015 Kenyan Superbrands ranking. The company was among top 20 leading brands and the second highly ranked one under the food category.
Kenchic was ranked 13 out of 100 with a score of 76.95. Other strong food brands were Mumias Sugar (10), Supa Loaf (16) and Farmer’s Choice (19).
Leading brands were judged on three core criteria - quality, reliability and distinction - in the analysis that incorporated views of marketing experts and Kenyan consumers.
Kenchic was established in 1984 after acquiring the assets of BAT Kenya Developments in 1983 and
supplies chicken to more than 30 Kenchic Inns countrywide.
The company’s main processing facility is located in Tigoni, Limuru. Other facilities are in Athi River, where it operates a broiler farm and hatchery, and Kajiado and Naivasha where there is a hatchery and six breeder farms.
The company also has poultry centres in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and Nyeri, and a satellite shop in Meru.
Kenchic is Kenya's only licensed export slaughter house for poultry products.
The company also supplies chicken to international franchises like Galitos, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Java Coffee House, Artcaffé, Pizza Inn, airline caterers like NAS, supermarkets and leading hotels.