Australia-based charcoal chicken chain El Jannah has outlined a national expansion programme 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’s central business district and Warringah Mall.
In Victoria, the company is preparing new outlets 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.
In the ACT, a restaurant will open in Woden.
The rollout is underpinned by a “significant” capital injection from General Atlantic (GA). Financial details were not revealed.
The private equity company has previously also invested in Danish juice and coffee chain Joe & The Juice.
General Atlantic managing director and head of Southeast Asia and Australia Neal Kok stated: “El Jannah is one of the most distinctive and exciting restaurant offerings we have seen in Australia. Its combination of authentic food and amazing community following are core to what has made it an incredible success.”
Founded in 1998 by Lebanese migrant couple Andre and Carole Estephan in Western Sydney, El Jannah has built its profile around charcoal-grilled chicken platters.
The business has expanded from five restaurants in 2020 to 50 locations across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands. It currently handles around 160,000 transactions each week.
Chief executive Brett Houldin will remain at the helm of the company, with support from the Estephan family and General Atlantic as El Jannah pursues 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 Eastern favour profile back to the Middle East, and into other high-potential markets,” Houldin noted.
