Bereng Mpaki
THE recent opening of fast foods giant KFC’s branch in Mafeteng brought to six, the number of KFC shops thus demonstrating the company’s commitment to increasing its footprint in the country.
The Mafeteng branch joins four others in Maseru and one in Butha Buthe district and all of these are franchised to businesswoman Lerato Majara.
The development also means KFC is now available in all the three broad regions of the country classified as the northern, central and southern regions.
KFC’s Local Store Marketing Coordinator Ramafahla Thamae this week told the Sunday Express that the branch opening had brought to an end, the long wait by the Mafeteng community.
“There has been a long- term request from the people of Mafeteng who have been waiting patiently for the arrival of KFC in their midst, and today we are fulfilling that request,” Mr Thamae said at the official opening.
He said KFC’s aim of having a countrywide presence faced a serious challenge posed by the rough terrain that made it difficult to invest in certain places.
“Our vision is to cover most parts of the country but due to the physical terrain, it is a challenge to transport our equipment.
“However, we are working on ways to get around this challenge so we can increase our footprint to more districts,” he said.
He also revealed that the branch opening had created 32 jobs most of which had gone to the local community.
“We are also committed to creating jobs in the country which is a huge challenge for many people at the moment. Our staff complement for this branch stands at 32, all of whom are people from Mafeteng excluding the supervisors,” he said, adding another branch would be opened in Maputsoe in the Leribe district before the end of the year.
He said they strove to uphold the standards “for the benefit of Basotho people and us as a company.”
Meanwhile, Raphosholi Khauoe, the first customer to buy at the Mafeteng branch, was rewarded with a 21-piece KFC hamper. The other first 25 customers were each given free Streetwise 2 hampers.
“I am a person who enjoys KFC meals very much so when I heard it was opening a branch in Mafeteng today, I made it a point to come early to get my favourite meals, Mr Khauoe said, adding, “This present from KFC is therefore a pleasant surprise as I did not expect it”.
He said he would enjoy the large meal with his wife and two children.
Another resident Thato Seeiso, said the branch would save her long trips to Maseru where she used to go whenever she craved a KFC meal.
She added that school children would be among the happiest customers as they preferred KFC meals when going on school trips or on special occasions.
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