February 28, 2025
The chips business in Kenya is one of the most popular ventures in the fast-food sector, appealing to a diverse customer base ranging from students to professionals.
With increasing urbanization and a fast-paced lifestyle, the demand for quick, affordable, and tasty meals like chips continues to grow.
If you’re considering starting a chips business, this guide will help you navigate the opportunities, challenges, and steps to success in Kenya.
Four key factors justify starting a chips business as a profitable venture in Kenya:
French fries (chips) are a staple in Kenya’s fast-food culture, making them a reliable and consistent product for any entrepreneur.
With modest initial capital, you can establish a chips business and scale it as demand grows.
Chips appeal to all demographics, including students, families, and working professionals, ensuring a wide market.
You can start small with a street-side stall or invest in a full-fledged restaurant offering an extended menu.
Kenya’s chips business presents entrepreneurs with several opportunities for growth and profitability:
Busy urban areas, schools, universities, and bus stations offer guaranteed foot traffic, ensuring consistent sales.
Incorporate complementary items such as sausages, samosas, or fried chicken to boost sales and profits.
Offer extras like chili, ketchup, cheese, or masala seasoning to cater to varied customer preferences.
Tap into the growing demand for convenience by providing home and office delivery through apps like Glovo and Bolt Food.
While the chips business is lucrative, entrepreneurs may face challenges including:
Chips stalls are common in urban areas, making it challenging to stand out.
Solution: Differentiate your business by offering better quality, unique flavors, or complementary products.
Prices of cooking oil and potatoes can fluctuate, affecting profit margins.
Solution: Buy in bulk from reliable suppliers to secure better prices and manage costs.
Customers prioritize clean and safe food, making hygiene critical for success.
Solution: Train staff on proper food handling practices and maintain a clean workspace.
Deep fryers and other equipment require regular maintenance, which can be costly.
Solution: Invest in durable, high-quality equipment and schedule routine maintenance.
Let’s explore the steps required in starting a successful chips business in Kenya:
Understand your target customers and competition:
Select a site with high foot traffic and visibility:
A comprehensive plan outlines your goals, operations, and financial projections.
Key sections that should be part of your business plan include:
Include equipment, rent, and ingredients.
Define your customer base, such as students or working professionals.
Highlight how you will attract and retain customers.
Comply with all legal requirements:
Purchase reliable equipment to ensure efficient operations including:
Deep fryers, chopping boards, knives, and serving trays.
Food warmers and display counters.
Partner with reliable suppliers to get quality potatoes, cooking oil, and seasonings:
Price your products to attract customers while ensuring profitability:
Create awareness and attract customers with effective marketing strategies such as:
Use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your menu.
Distribute flyers and posters around your location.
Provide excellent service to encourage customer referrals.
Business practises that ensure the long-term success of a chips business include:
Consistently deliver crispy, well-cooked chips to build customer loyalty.
Engage with your customers, listen to feedback, and make improvements.
Expand your menu to include items like fried chicken, drinks, or desserts.
Introduce new flavors or combos based on customer preferences.
Keep your workspace clean and ensure all staff follow proper hygiene practices.
A breakdown of expected costs when starting a chips business is as shown below:
| Expense | Estimated Cost (Ksh) |
| Equipment (Deep Fryers, Utensils) | 20,000–50,000 |
| Ingredients (Potatoes, Oil) | 5,000–10,000 |
| Rent | 10,000–30,000/month |
| Licenses and Permits | 5,000–15,000 |
| Marketing and Branding | 3,000–10,000 |
An overview of projected revenue generated from a chips business is as shown:
| Metric | Projected Value (Ksh) |
| Daily Revenue | Ksh 2,000–8,000 |
| Monthly Revenue | Ksh 60,000–240,000 |
| Profit Margins | 30–50% |
Starting a chips business in Kenya is a profitable venture with consistent demand.
By selecting the right location, maintaining high-quality standards, and offering excellent customer service, you can build a successful and sustainable business.
At Surfstop, we provide expert consultation to help you plan, register, and grow your business.
Contact us today to turn your chips business idea into reality and start serving your community!