Java House Explained

Java House (formerly Nairobi Java House) is a chain of coffee houses with its head office at ABC Place in Nairobi, Kenya,^[1] founded in 1999 by Kevin Ashley and Jon Wagner.^[2] When founded, it was one of the few places to find "export-quality" Kenyan coffee brewed and served in the region,^[3] although specialty coffee culture has seen a significant increase in Kenya in recent years.^[4]

Starting from the first cafe at Adam's Arcade along Ngong Road which opened in 1999,^[5] Java House has grown to 73 locations across East Africa as of June 2024.^[6] The Java brand is also the owner of Italian pizza chain 360 Degrees Pizza and the first ever East African self-service frozen yoghurt store, Planet Yogurt.^[7]

Corporate governance

Past Chief Executive Officers

Kevin Ashley (2010–2016)

• Co-founded Nairobi Java House in 1999.^[8]
• Oversaw the growth of the company from a single brand, Nairobi Java House, in Kenya to multiple brands in Kenya and Uganda.
• Completed the sale of Java House to Emerging Capital Partners in 2012.^[9]

Ken Kuguru (2016–2018)

• Grew Java House to 60+ stores across 10 cities in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.^[10]
• In 2017, led the company to one of the most successful private equity F&B deals in East Africa to date.^{[11] [12] [13]}

Paul Smith (2018 - 2021)

• Paul's principal role is the development and implementation of the Group's growth and development strategies.^[14]

Derrick Van Houten 2021 - 2022

Priscilla Gathungu 2022 - PresentGroup CEOPriscilla is the Group Chief Executive Officer at Java House Group. 2022 - Present

Priscilla was appointed as Group CEO in November 2022.

Notes and References

1. "Contact us." Nairobi Java House. Retrieved on 17 February 2011. "Head Office: ABC Place, off Waiyaki Way, P.O.Box 21533, 00505, Nairobi, Kenya."
2. Web site: 2019-08-25 . Java House . 2024-06-26 . Africa Outlook Magazine . en-ZA.
3. News: Xan Rice . August 3, 2007 . Nairobi cafes buzzing as real coffee finally comes home . The Guardian.
4. Web site: Nicholas . 2022-05-03 . Is coffee consumption growing in Kenya? . 2024-06-26 . Perfect Daily Grind . en-GB.
5. Web site: Our Story . June 26, 2024 . Java House.
6. Web site: Java House Find a Store . June 26, 2024 . Java House.
7. Web site: Our Locations. javahouseafrica.com. 2016-10-27. 2016-10-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20161016001504/http://javahouseafrica.com/our-locations/. dead.
8. Web site: BIKO: Itinerant backpacker who co-founded Java. Business Daily. 2019-01-16.
9. Web site: Java coffee chain sells majority stake to US equity firm. May 27, 2012. Business Daily. 2019-01-16.
10. Web site: Java to inject Sh1bn into expansion drive. January 18, 2018. Business Daily. 2019-01-16.
11. Web site: ECP to exit Java House. ECP Investments. en-US. 2019-01-16. 2019-01-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20190117065945/https://www.ecpinvestments.com/ecp-to-exit-java-house/. dead.
12. Web site: Abraaj to Acquire East Africa's Leading Coffee Chain Java House. 2017-07-03. The Abraaj Group. en-US. 2019-01-16.
13. Web site: Financial Times: Abraaj Group to Buy African Coffee Chain Java House. 2017-07-03. The Abraaj Group. en-US. 2019-01-16.
14. Web site: Our Leadership. Java Group. EN. 2019-10-01.