With more than 1.5 billion people and a median age under 20, Africa with a GDP of $2.8 trillion is fast becoming one of the most important growth markets for the global fast-food industry.
From Lagos to Nairobi, international quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains and homegrown brands alike are racing to feed a young, urbanizing population whose appetite for convenience, affordability, and brand-name meals is reshaping the continent’s food economy.
Driven by franchising models that enable rapid expansion and consistent branding, fast-food chains are now visible across major cities and secondary markets. Nigeria, with a population approaching 240 million, leads the charge, but Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are close behind, providing fertile ground for business growth.
This surge reflects more than just shifting eating habits. It’s a story of economic transformation, one where rising consumer demand, a youthful workforce, and digital food delivery are fueling the proliferation of Western-style fast food across Africa.
Below, we explore 10 of the largest restaurant chains tapping into the multi-trillon dollar African economy, and the socio-economic forces driving their expansion.
- Presence: 15+ countries
- Country: South African
Galito is a South African fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in flame-grilled peri-peri chicken that has grown into an international franchise with more than 210 locations across 17 countries.
Founded in 1996 by Louis Germishuys, a former Nando’s franchisee, Galito’s began as a bold entrepreneurial pivot. When Nando’s went public and started buying out local franchise operators, Germishuys chose to strike out on his own. With the help of a colleague, Felix Mokoena, he began developing Galito’s now-signature sauces in his home garage.
Today, Galito’s has a presence across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and North America. The brand operates in countries including Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Serbia, part of an increasingly global portfolio that reflects its ambition to become a major player in the competitive flame-grilled chicken market.
