Hotplate Grillhouse in expansion drive

ZIMBABWE’S fastest-growing fast food chain, Hotplate Grillhouse Zimbabwe, is set to capture a large chunk of the market share after going on an innovative expansion drive.
Hotplate Grillhouse’s expansion is being driven by a US$400 000 investment made in the business to respond to growing demand for its services. Benson Muneri, the company’s chief executive, said Hotplate Grillhouse Zimbabwe has opened seven more branches this year bringing to 10 the total number of its branches countrywide.
“Hot Plate Grill House is a new dining experience we are offering in Zimbabwe at the moment.

“Hot Plate Grill House is a new dining experience.”

It’s a flame grilled offering of unique African meals. It is a new concept available for both take away and for sit-ins and the clients love the experience,” Muneri told The Financial Gazette. Hotplate Grillhouse was introduced two years ago and has 10 outlets open and continues to expand.

“Everything is themed African because we remain true to our tradition. We have been blessed in that we have a huge following in Zimbabwe. People seem to be
loyal to us and appreciating what we are offering,” Muneri added.

“The demand for the product is great and fortunately we managed to sustain the demand by opening more stores around the country. I believe we are offering meals that most of our competitors are not doing. We are offering mopani worms (madora), tripe (maguru), cow heels (mazondo) and roasted meat (nyama yakagotya). So, there is a diversity of the African range which we are offering in a formalised environment.”

The business has a staff compliment of about 300. Muneri said the company was now working on an expansion drive that will see it open up to 21 outlets in all major towns in Zimbabwe. He said the company also had a vision to expand into Zambia and Botswana next year.

“We are new in the business and we have lots to learn. Zimbabwe is not a clear-cut market where everything is smooth. You need to hustle, you need to constantly engage suppliers and ensure they supply in time. We are not the best; we are aiming to be the best under the circumstances” Muneri said.

“It has been challenging (relocating to Zimbabwe and leaving top posts in SA) there were some economics that did not make sense in the beginning. However, Zimbabwe is home and there is no challenge that we can’t fix,´ he added. The local franchise is part of the South African food outlet Hotplate Grillhouse.
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