Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

CHOPIT Where a simple mishkaki transforms into a Shakeshaki ™️ The modern way of eating an age old African classic. Striving to create an original local fast food chain. By Kenya, for Africa.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Chopits birth was from a small pop-up stall in Mombasa, created a stir, prompting us to start a full fledged restaurant. We quickly realized this was not our dream, instead it was to start a chain. All founders have university degrees, but not in food or hospitality. We had to learn on the go using the latest social media trends, software, supply chain modules and much more. Upon learning we started another branch, which grew into a total of 5 at present. We have a small menu that we strive to maintain at the highest quality and hygiene standards (we have set ourselves very high standards). Chopit has maintained a strong social media presence, growing each month. We use 100% sustainable bio degradable packaging for our Shakeshaki. In addition, our standard model restaurant concept is also made from up-cycled shipping containers to create a unique and stylish look.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Getting independence from imported ingredients and raw materials that the foreign fast food chains in Africa so much rely on. In addition getting rid of Forex royalty fees and commissions by creating our very own local African chain.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

1. We employ 100% local workforce, promoting within ranks. 2. Chopit upgrades the local skill set constantly and is continuously improvising 3. 100% of our ingredients are locally sourced. 4. All Chopit branches are made from up-cycled shipping containers. We also use pp-cycled used oil drums for our seating and 100% biodegradable packaging material.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

We strive to attract young modern Kenyans. All Chopits have a play area encouraging parents and children to a safe and fun environment for the entire family. As its a healthy fast food concept, its good for rush and go.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-05-30

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

1. My sister: Sabira Dewji She has a masters degree in cognitive neuroscience from Aston University in the United Kingdom. Sabira also helps in the business operations but mainly in the informal HR department since this a very critical part of our growing business. To nurture and maintain the vision for what we want our brand to be. 2. My brother: Mohamed Dewji He has a degree from the university of Texas at Dallas in Business Management. Myself and Mohamed started the business from inception and are continuing to learn and grow the business together. Mohamed has an attention for detail and allways trys to introduce new processes and ideas to the smooth running of all operations

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.instagram.com/c.h.o.p.i.t/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/chopitexpress/?hl=en https://ke.linkedin.com/in/samana-dewji-283a37188

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By providing employment for unskilled workers, ensuring their constant training to upscale their skills. This increases the monthly take home and encourages further development of oneself to rid of poverty. We have proved this by promoting our base skill workers to front managers. We ensure prompt payment of retirement funds for all our employees.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

1. Free Meals for all our employees 2. Maximum (50%) discounts for families of staff 3. We do not use preservatives, increasing in nutrition quality compared to foreign fast food chains in Kenya 4. We only buy local ingredients, that are naturally grown 5. We plan to promote local farmers in better yields using natural fertilizers and mapping technology 6. We are willing to contribute a percentage of sales to eliminate hunger in Kenya

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Although we are a fast food chain, we do not use any preservatives or MSG to enhance flavors and shelf life by compromising health and well being. We have options carb free options like the governors bowl which is loaded with protein. The outdoor play area at all Chopit locations (current, and future) will allways be free to use and strongly encourage to boost children away from their screens.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We are to set up an education fund for all level 3 employees. This fund can be tapped into for primary and secondary education support.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Chopit was started by women, promotes and encourages women. Whenever a slot is available for promotion, strict criteria is used instead of any kind of bias

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

As a food business, we adhere to using quality water and expelling the same.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We use biodegradable packaging. We use briquettes to grill our meat instead of charcoal like the rest

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We provide equal opportunity for all employees within our organization, more then minimum pay and the least working hours

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

1. We use recycled shipping containers to build our branch locations 2. We use recycled oil drums for our seating space 3. We use modern technology and AI in various business operations from marketing, HR, and standard processes

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

NA

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

NA

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

We use briquettes instead of charcoal and one hundred percent bio degradable packaing

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Although it costs us 5X, we use 100% bio degradable packaging material. Also instead of using charcoal, we use sustainable briquettes.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Our scope of business is not related to this.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Our scope of business is not related to this.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

Our next phase of Chopit is to improove stock options to our long serving employees

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

We provide equal opportunity for all in our organization to grow, get trained and climb the ladder of opportunity on nothing else but merit

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

2

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

From a local African classic recipe, we transformed it and created a unique and new product called the shakeshaki

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Foreign fast food chains are our main competitors. We stand out from them by being local and understanding the local palette, bringing local delicacy in a hygienic environment

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, i often get invited to speak at events promoting female entrepreneurs