McDonald’s denies opening an outlet in Nairobi

Globally renowned fast-food chain McDonald’s has now denied reports that it plans to open a Nairobi outlet by mid next year despite previously inviting investors to put in applications for a Kenya franchise.

The restaurant chain’s global head of corporate affairs Ron Christianson told the Business Daily that recent media reports of McDonald’s imminent entry into Kenya are untrue.The fast-food chain was to be planning to open a franchised branch at a Total fuel station on Dennis Pritt Road in Kilimani rumors claimed.

“I want to advise that there is no truth to the reports you reference. We have no plans to open in Kenya,” Mr Christianson said in an emailed response to the Business Daily’s queries.

This denial comes three years after McDonald’s invited investors to put in applications for a Kenya franchise, sending out the strongest signal yet of its plans to open shop in Nairobi and expand its presence in Africa.“We are looking for investors who have retail experience and willingness to devote full time to the McDonald’s restaurant business, knowledge of the real estate market (and) significant capital. We will retain all information sent to us in a database and give you consideration if we take steps to develop McDonald’s restaurants in Kenya,” read a statement that the franchise now claims it's fake.McDonald’s is among the largest global restaurant chains, serving more than 69 million customers daily in over 100 countries.