Local franchise aiming to create more jobs
We caught up with Itumeleng Mpatlanyana, founder of Nkukhu-box.
Despite South Africa’s struggling economy, The Nkukhu-Box fast-food franchise is pushing radical economic transformation through community development and empowerment first. The local franchise is giving people the opportunity to be business owners and creating employment in the township.
“Nkukhu-box is a home of grilled chicken embracing Kasi township flavours and lifestyle, it’s a grilled chicken concept fast-food franchise brand,” explains Itumeleng Mpatlanyana.
He says that the store concept is made from specially designed shipping containers, making it cost-effective, movable and it’s a business model that tackles all of the industry challenges he faced in the past, including expensive rental costs.
“We don’t have to rely on shopping centres or high rent and if a store doesn’t do well in that particular area it’s easy to move and try it in another area,” adds Mpatlanyana.
Currently, Nkukhu-box has eight operating stores in different locations around the country, and more franchises to be opened next month [November].
“When a person decides to purchase a Nkukhu-Box meal, they are choosing to support radical township transformation because Nkukhu-Box has rigid policies to ensure that each store sources bread, vegetables and even employs locally,” he said.
The business empowers local people to become entrepreneurs by offering the opportunity to own the Nkukhu-Box franchise.
The focus is placed on breaking unemployment and creating jobs through a number of operating franchises around South African townships.
Its economic intent: “Is not to generate profits and invest in foreign markets but to aim to use the generated resources to invest back into local communities. Thus creating more socio-economic opportunities, employment, and skills development and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit within the local youth.”
Mpatlanyana says, “Providing an eating experience, the founder explains that by this, the shops do not only provide food to its customers but a space where people can bring their loved ones for a fun lunch, where people can come catch up especially because the stores are located on the street front, which gives people a perfect podium to see different township activities and characters.”
Making sure that it remains a career opportunity for the disadvantaged, Nkukhu-Box franchises are built within the township communities to expand opportunities for development of previously disadvantaged communities and career growth for people.
Along with their plan to develop townships, Nkukhu-Box has committed to contributing to environment cleaning by placing its businesses on neglected sites such as dumping sites.
The franchise has successfully managed to keep afloat with the challenging fast-food industry dominated by international brands.
What inspires the food is the local stories of different people that the brand wishes to share with the rest of the world.
The founder believes in putting people first, he explains that people can now enjoy an affordable meal, within their residential space.
The Nkukhu Box menu is dominated by chicken and subsequential products such as chicken livers, gizzards, wings, breast filets, chicken feet and even chicken neck.
The chicken products are flame grilled to perfection and offered in different flavours; Sweet & Sour, Lemon & Herb, our signature sauce Mild, Hot and Extra Hot.
The Nkukhu Box menu range also extends to classics such as, Kotas and Designer kotas which are the “pimped” up version of the traditional South African spatlo.
Each of these Kotas tell the South African township story with each bite taken, with names such as the ”Cheese Boy”, “Boss Zonke” and the “Last Number”.
Check out the new opening Nkukhu-box franchise at Cnr Masopha and Letsatsi Street, Orlando East.
WATCH:
Brief details about the business:
- The first store was opened in July 2016 [Nkukhu-Box Mamelodi West]
- Nkukhu-box as a group currently employs 139 people and planning to employ more youth.
- Nkukhu-box empowers local business by buying chickens from local farms, local bakeries.
- Nkukho-box sponsors and donates to local events, and NGO’s and schools.
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