KFC expands its African roost

This follows the opening of its KFC restaurants in Zambia, Ghana and Kenya in 2011.

"The expansion into Africa is aimed at tapping into a rising middle class market with strong economic growth potential as there is a move towards a stable salaried job culture and away from traditional agriculture activities," said Bruce Layzell, Yum's General Manager of New African Markets.

This is in line with the International Monetary Fund's forecast on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa to be 1.75% above the global average forecast for 2012. Putting Africa's economic growth as favourable to outpace more developed regions.

By the end of 2012 KFC aims to be in 20 countries throughout Africa. Part of this expansion plan is to establish successful supply chain partnerships, which also promises additional business opportunities locally. Currently the African continent is close on 900 KFC stores to date.

The Africa division is also looking at bringing Pizza Hut, another Yum! brand to South Africa within 2012 or 2013.

"As a market leader in the Quick Service Restaurant industry, we are excited to take this leap forward. It is our vision to sell our great original recipe chicken right across the continent - that's a billion people in 54 countries. Fortunately it's a billion people who love chicken and we'll now be able to give them the best tasting chicken, to Colonel Saunders' exacting standards that there is," concluded Keith Warren, Managing Director KFC Africa.