Big Square ranks among the most popular fast food joint in the country in the same stead as the likes of KFC. The establishment has branches in Nairobi and Mombasa and caters mostly for the middle and working class Kenyans. Joram Gatei, son of one of the directors of the once iconic Tuskys Supermarket, is a co-owner.
WoK brings you the brains behind Big Square restaurant and owner of Renova limited.
About The Entrepreneur
Joram Gatei is a young Kenyan entrepreneur with interests in the hospitality industry and interior design. He is the son to Tuskys Supermarket director Samuel Gatei and grandson to its founder Stephen Mukuha.
He graduated from Northwood University, Florida, United States of America. He serves as the director of Big Square restaurant and founder of Renova – an interior design company.
Big Square Restaurant.
Big Square Restaurant was founded in 2012 by Morne Deetlefs –a South African born businessman and investor. The first restaurant was opened at Karen Square which later closed down.
The company went on to open other branches in Nairobi and Mombasa. He would then allow investors to come in the business in exchange of becoming co-owners.
Joram Gatei was the first to jump in followed by Sebastian McKinlay of Canter Equity Partners, a Zimbabwean national and Uqalo – a South African based private equity fund that recently invested Ksh 404 million in the business.
Currently the restaurant has grown to operate 10 branches situated in various parts of Nairobi including CBD at Moi Avenue and Standard Street, along Mombasa road, Waiyaki way, Junction Mall, Lavington Curve, Two Rivers Mall, Wilson Airport, Adlife Plaza and Garden City Mall.
It also operates one branch in Mombasa situated at Nyali Cinemax. In August 2019, the founder of the restaurant Morne Deetlefs exited the business under unclear circumstances.
This was after he received compensation from his co-owners with insiders citing boardroom wars and conflict of interest for his departure as reported by Business Daily Africa. He left the business under the ownership of the four investors who currently serve as directors of the restaurant.
Renova Limited
Joram Gatei serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Renova limited, a company he founded in 2006. The company offers various services including concept and design, shop-fitting and equipment, retail innovations and technology, visual merchandising, architectural development and international partnerships.
It is a leading company in Kenya for the development and realization of successful and innovative retail concepts and interiors. The company has worked with various retail brands including Quickmart supermarket, Tumaini Supermarket, Cleanshelf supermarket and Naivas Supermarket.
