Cafe Javas, often known as CJ’s, is one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country.
Its extensive and diverse menu, combined with the welcoming atmosphere of its restaurants, has won over Kenyans.
However, most people are unaware that the restaurant originated in Uganda.
CJ’s is part of the Mandela group of enterprises, which is owned by Ugandan business magnate Ahmed Omar Mandela.
Omar has invested in a variety of industries, including hotel, automotive, oil and manufacturing.
He is also the president of Sports Club Villa (SC Villa), one of Uganda’s leading football clubs.
The businessman opened his first restaurant on Bombo Road in Kampala, Uganda. The eatery served delicious coffee and other food items, prompting customers to line for a taste.
The overwhelming response spurred Omar to expand and build additional branches throughout Uganda.
As of 2022, the restaurant operated eight locations in Kampala and one in Entebbe. After succeeding in Uganda, Omar planned to expand into Kenya.
However, the move was not easy, as he was faced with a lawsuit aiming to prevent the restaurant from opening in the country.
Java House filed the lawsuit, claiming that the names were so similar that customers would be confused. Cafe Javas was compelled to rebrand, resulting in the moniker CJ’s.
CJ’s opened in Kenya in 2018, with its first location at the intersection of Koinange and Biashara streets in Nairobi.
The restaurant has now expanded, with four additional branches in the capital.
In addition to Cafe Javas, Omar’s Mandela Group of Companies owns City Tyres, City Oil, City Lubes, City World, Savers, Food Hub, Mandela Millers and Mandela Auto Spares.
