HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF STARTING A PIZZA BUSINESS IN KENYA?

Pizza is among the most popular foods in Kenya. If you want to start a Pizzeria, you are definitely on the right path since it has a profit margin.

With most people having tight schedules and busy routines, they rarely have time to prepare meals.

Pizza happens to be one of the favorite fast foods people buy.

Peninah Ntong’ondu used to work at Pizza Inn, starting out as a cashier and, within four years, rose to become a manager at one of its outlets in Nairobi’s central business district.

She was later hired by an international hotel in Westlands as a manager but quit the job to pursue entrepreneurship, choosing to do what she knew best — making pizza.

Ms Ntong’ondu, is the founder of Queens Pizza Deliveries, a home-based company which prepares and delivers the popular delicacy to customers in the city.

On average, she makes between eight and 10 pizzas every day, raking in at least Sh.150,000 a month.

“I work alone every day of the week. We deliver the pizzas to customers at their homes and offices,” Ms Ntong’ondu said when we visited her house in Buruburu.

“On certain days, I get bulk orders of even 35 pizzas and hire two ladies to help me out. In such cases, we offer extra catering services to the clients including providing paper plates and serving them at no extra cost.”

Ms Ntong’ondu says she started the business with about Sh.200,000, money she used to register the company, buy a small oven as well as market the venture.

Queens Pizza’s menu includes 10 varieties including Hawaiian, Mexican Mince, Sausage Pizza and Spicy Chilli Chicken, among others, whose recipes she thought up herself.

She sells her pizzas for between Sh.350 and Sh.750 — slightly lower than her established competitors.

Ms Ntong’ondu says she owes her current business successes to her former jobs, noting that she will forever be grateful for the opportunity despite now being their competitor.

“Whenever I got a chance (at Pizza Inn), I learned something new about the business including making the dough, laying toppings and use various herbs and ingredients before my peers started work,” she said.

“Furthermore, the managerial position at the fast-food outlet and at the hotel gave me the opportunity to learn more about business. The opportunity was priceless.”

She plans on expanding her business, hoping to open a fast-food restaurant in Buruburu after which she will also increase her pizza varieties.

“I have a budget of things that I need to buy to enable me run a restaurant. I have managed to purchase some but I am yet to secure a commercial oven,” she said.

“I need approximately Sh.950,000 to open the restaurant in Buruburu and I hope to strike a deal with an investor.”

Ms Ntong’ondu’s lowest moment in her business was when her mother passed away a few months after she set up the business. She says the bereavement almost saw her fold the company.

She went into depression and stayed away from the business for four months. But she eventually picked herself up and reopened the business, making a personal pledge to make her mother proud.

*Conduct a Market Research*

Conducting market research is important before starting any business because it helps you to write a business plan. Research your key competitors and find out what they do so you can do it differently and better.

Additionally, identify who your potential target customers are and the kind of pizza they prefer.

Most importantly, talk to people who have been in the business and know what challenges they have encountered.

*Write a Pizza Business Plan*

To start a successful pizza business, you need a good business plan. Putting down ideas on a paper about your business will help you launch your business with much ease.

Things to include in your business plan include:

*A description of your pizza business

*Startup capital and the source of funds

*How you intend to grow the business

*Business location

*Targeted customers

*Possible challenges

*Your recipes and pricing

*A marketing and sales plan

*Cost of Starting Pizza Business in Kenya*

The cost of starting a pizza business depends on the size and type of pizza business you want to start.

You can start a delivery business, dine-in, take-out or take and bake pizza business.

You need approximately Ksh.200,000 to start one. The startup capital will go into getting the necessary licenses, business registration, and buying basic equipment.

*Identify a Good Business Location*

Finding a strategic location for your Pizza business is very crucial. You need to find a place that is easily accessible to your customers; preferably a busy town or a marketplace.

Alternatively, you can start a pizza business from your home then make deliveries.

*Get the Required Equipment*

You will need equipment to start and run your pizza business. The bulk of your equipment will also depend on the size of your business.
You will need the following equipment:

*An oven

*Dough mixer

*Pizza pans

*Worktables

*Freezer

*Pizza boxes

*Pizzabags

*Pizza cutters

*Cutting boards

*Basic utensils

*Get the Necessary Licenses and Business Permits*

Business permits and licenses are necessary to operate a legal business in Kenya. Failure to get business licenses will put you into trouble with the authorities.

You will need to get the following business licenses and permits for your pizza business in Kenya.

*Food Safety Certificate.* This shows that the food you are selling to your customers is safe for consumption. Your business premises will be inspected before you are given this certificate.

*Food Handler’s Certificate.* Diseases can be spread from one person to another. Therefore, the person preparing the pizza should be healthy so that he does not spread diseases to consumers.

*Single Business Permit.* You can get this permit from the City council. It usually costs around Ksh.5,000 but this will depend on the size of your business.

*Fire Safety Certificate.* Your business must be Fire Safety Certified. A fire inspector will visit your premises before you are issued with this certificate.

*Come Up with Pizza Recipes and Menu*

The good thing about pizza preparation is that you can design a recipe on your own. Make sure that your pizza is unique and delicious; it is the secret to a successful pizza business.

It is also important to use fresh ingredients each time you prepare pizza.

Deciding what to put on your menu will determine the customers you will attract and the type of equipment you need, and your startup capital.

*Market your Business*

After setting up everything, people will need to know about your business.

You can choose to create a website, do social media marketing, or distribute fliers, pamphlets, and newsletters.

Selling complementary products (like fruit juice and other drinks) that can be taken alongside Pizza in your Pizzeria is also another way to market your business.

This strategy will give your clients the satisfaction of ordering meals in one place and you are sure to get good profits.

Offering excellent customer service is also a great way to retain customers.

*Is Pizza Business Profitable in Kenya?*

A pizzeria is undeniably a profitable business especially when you start one in high-end areas.

Also, make sure to market your pizza business so that you have many customers. 

You need a good marketing strategy, hard work, and persistence to succeed in this business.

Also, the location you choose is a key determinant to the success of your business.

If you follow this guide, it will be very easy to start a Pizza business in Kenya. 

 Also don’t forget to join our Business Marketing Training to learn brilliant marketing strategies that can make your business more profitable.

We have created a WhatsApp group called *BUSINESS MARKETING TRAINING*

In this group we are going to train and teach you for 21 days brilliant marketing strategies that can make your business more profitable.

Goods and services you are selling are like the body of a car while marketing is the engine that drives the car. Sometimes a car with a bad “body”, but a good engine will outrun a car with a good “body” but a poor engine.

In today`s business world, having a good product will not make you rich. You need to have great marketing skills

By

Justine Nyachieo
Business Man & Mentor

Timothy Angwenyi
Business Consultant

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