Belayab opens Cold Stone Creamery franchise, to expand into Djibouti

By Samuel Getachew
Opens Cold Stone creamery franchise

Belayab Foods Production PLC – owners of Pizza Hut and Cold Stone Creamery franchises which opened this morning in Sar Bet – is set to emulate its international brand operation successes in the nation, in neighboring Djibouti.

Owned by Aschalew Belay, a Chinese based Ethiopian entrepreneur, this will add to his interests in the hospitality sector, including owning Golden Tulip and Tulip Inn hotels in Ethiopia, as well as Kia Motors.

This follows its fast growing Pizza Hut brands in Ethiopia, now operational in several locations around Addis Ababa, including in Morning Star Mall, Sarebet, Century Mall, CMC, Kazanchis and soon to open inside Bole International Airport.

“Our relationship took long to develop, as we discussed on standards and wanting to bring value to our nation,” Aschalew told The Reporter. “I wanted it to have a triple effect, in terms of training for our employees who many want to use their experience with us as a transition in their careers or to those who may want to grow with us.”

“I did not start this business to make money, but I wanted to help others realize that our nation is truly open for business, as an investment hub,” he added.

For Kahala a brand that owns the ice cream brand, is to be its first trial within Ethiopia, after successfully introducing the brand in other African nations, including South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt.
“We hope the relationship will produce employment locally and have us look at partnering with local entities to help us produce the raw materials for our products,” said Alex Neville, the Director of Operations for Kahala Brands, owner of Cold Stone Creamery. “We are here because we are a premium product that gives one the ultimate ice cream experience.”

Cold Stone Creamery was founded in 1988 in Scottsdale, Arizona and is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world.

Source: The Reporter