Australian charcoal chicken chain El Jannah has outlined a national expansion program that would see its network grow from 50 outlets to 200.
The brand plans to launch more than 25 new restaurants before the end of 2026, targeting sites in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as part of its next phase of growth.
In New South Wales, upcoming openings are planned for Cranebrook, Cronulla, Emerald Hills, Maroubra, North Rocks, Ropes Crossing, Rozelle, Rutherford in the Hunter Valley, Sydney CBD and Warringah Mall.
In Victoria, the company is preparing new stores in Armstrong Creek, Ashburton, Box Hill, Carrum Downs, Corio, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne West, Hawthorn, Ivanhoe, Lilydale, Roxburgh Park, South Yarra, Sunbury, Wollert and Wyndam Vale.
A restaurant will open in Woden in the ACT.
The launch is backed by a “significant” capital injection from General Atlantic (GA). Financial details were not disclosed.
The private equity firm has also previously invested in Danish juice and coffee chain Joe & The Juice.
General Atlantic CEO and head of South East Asia and Australia, Neal Kok, said: “Jannah is one of the most distinctive and exciting restaurant offerings we have seen in Australia. Its combination of authentic food and an incredible community following are central to what has made it an incredible success.”
Founded in 1998 by Lebanese immigrant couple Andre and Carole Estephan in western Sydney, El Jannah has built its profile around charcoal-grilled chicken dishes.
The business has expanded from five restaurants in 2020 to 50 locations across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Wollongong and Southern Highlands. It currently handles around 160,000 transactions each week.
CEO Brett Houldin will remain at the helm of the company, with the support of the Estephan family and General Atlantic as El Jannah continues its expansion plans.
“Our partnership with GA means we can explore selective international expansion for the first time, including the possibility of exporting our unique Australian-Middle East favored profile to the Middle East and other high-potential markets,” Houldin said.
“El Jannah’s National Growth Plan Supported by General Atlantic” was created and originally published by Verdict Food Service, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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