Nigerian founder who transformed cooking at church into a tasty African food business. That perfectly aligns with the inspiring journey of Michael and Abi Olaleye, the founders of Tasty African Food.
From Church Table to Culinary Empire
- Origins: The Olaleyes began by preparing and selling West African dishes inspired by Abi’s church cooking, encouraged by positive feedback from their community.
- Growth: What started humbly quickly grew—over 25 years, their venture expanded from a single restaurant in Woolwich (Southeast London) to 27 locations across London and Kent.
- Scaling Ambitions: Today, Tasty African Food blends company-owned branches with franchises. Their ecosystem also includes catering services, a food-ordering app, and ready meals sold in Sainsbury’s. In fact, they aim to hit 100 restaurants nationwide within five years.
- Values-Driven Business: Rooted in their faith and community, the Olaleyes initially resisted selling alcohol due to religious beliefs, but adapted strategies that balanced principles with commercial success. They remain anchored in quality, affordability, and community involvement, recently even reducing meal prices to support customers.
Quick Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founders | Michael and Abi Olaleye |
| Inspiration Source | Abi’s cooking for their church community |
| Expansion | Grew to 27 locations in London & Kent over 25 years |
| Business Model | Restaurants, catering, ready meals in Sainsbury’s, and a food app |
| Growth Goals | Planning to reach 100 restaurants across the UK in five years |
| Core Values | Faith-based ethics, affordability, quality, and community connections |
