Artcaffe is a chain of modern restaurants spread across the Nairobi and its environs. The restaurants, known for their high quality cup of coffee and pastries, have become increasingly popular amongst the middle and working class Kenyans. Questions of ownership and origin of these tastefully designed restaurants have always been a subject of speculations.
Worry no more because in this article, WoK highlights everything you need to know about Artcaffe restaurant.
Artcaffe origin
Artcaffe restaurant was established 15 years ago by Artcaffe Coffee and Bakery Limited. The first restaurant in Kenya was opened in 2007 at the Westgate Mall, Nairobi. The idea was to set up the restaurants in all the major malls in the country and targeting the middle and working class Kenyans. The restaurant provides their customers a place to relax, work, hold meetings over a bite and drinks made by their talented chefs, baristas and mixologists. It provides a relaxing environment where colleagues can conduct business meetings and also has strong Wi-Fi where one can work from or conduct Zoom calls.
Artcaffe Restaurant Owners
In 2017, Artcaffe restaurant was 100 percent acquired by Artcaffe Group from Artcaffe Coffee & Bakery Limited. According to a statement released by the Competition Authority of Kenya, Artcaffe Group took control of the 23 restaurants after acquiring 100 percent ordinary shares that amounted to Ksh 1 billion. Artcaffe Group is a subsidiary fully owned by Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) Fund IV which also bought out Java House. ECP is one of the largest private equity fund managers established in 2000 and mainly focuses on investing in Africa.
Also Read: Haji Yassin Jama: The Owner Of The Popular Kilimanjaro Restaurant Chain
The company, which has its headquarters in Washington USA, has raised more than USD 3.2 billion for investment through its funds and co-investments. It has completed more than 60 deals, 59 exits and over 70 investments in 44 countries in the African continent. The company has interests in different sectors such as hospitality, logistics, flour milling, distribution, importation and the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Key people who are shareholders in the company include Hurly Doddy (Managing Director, Founding Partner, and Co-CEO) and Vincent Le Guennou (Managing Director, Founding Partner, and Co-CEO), Carolyn Campbell, Bryce Fort, Paul Maasdorp, Brice Lodugnon who serve as Managing Directors, Renschke Volschenk and Rudolph Bella who are the Directors.
Also Read: Obado Obadoh: The Ex-Chang’aa Seller Who Now Owns The Popular Café Deli Restaurants In Nairobi
Artcaffe Restaurant Branches
After the takeover in 2017, Artcaffe has grown to have 35 branches in different places including Westminster CBD, Total Petrol station Kileleshwa, Thika Road mall, Shell Windsor, Rubis Petrol Station Hurlingham, Rubis Petrol station Eastern Bypass, Ridgeways mall, On The Way Parklands, Lavington mall, Karen Hardy post, Two Rivers mall, Argwings Arcade, ACK Gardens Upper Hill, 14 Riverside, Yaya Center, Valley Arcade, Village Market, The Oval, The Hub Karen, Shell Eastern Bypass, Rhapta Square, Kitengela mall, Kimathi street CBD, Junction mall, Hurlingham, Garden city mall, Galleria mall, Gallant Plaza, Freedom Heights, Chester House CBD, Capital Center, Britam, South C, Westminster Branch and Westgate Kiosk.
