Guardian

CHIEF Executive Officer of Pepperoni Foods Limited, a fast growing restaurant chain in the Niger Delta region, Mr. Eric Idogun, said the industry has the capacity to create millions of jobs for unemployed youths if operators are encouraged through incentives to expand.

Idogun made the observation in a chat shortly after the company opened a new branch at Mbiama/Yenagoa Road, Bayelsa.  He attributed the success of his operation to free-interest loan Bayelsa State Government gave him about eight years ago when he started operations.

The mega service outlet in Yenagoa, where it started operations eight years ago, is the biggest of the six outlets in Rivers, Akwa, Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states operated by Pepperoni. The facility in the new branch houses a fast service point, a full-fledged in-house secluded restaurant, upscale bar and ultra modern photo studio. It is designed to accommodate warehousing facilities and catering training centre, part of the integration process being undertaken by Pepperoni.

At the pre-opening ceremony, which coincided with the company’s yearly Children’s Day party, Idogun was optimistic at prospects of the business, especially in Bayelsa.

Looking back to its humble beginning in a market previously dominated by others, it seemed an uphill task to create a niche for itself. But Idogun said the company was able to weather the storm “because of the uniqueness of its products and services.”

He continued: “The company gradually gained wide acceptance among various demographic strata and soon became the preferred restaurant in its locations. From beginning, our objective was very clear – to provide quality healthy food service to people in a warm and friendly environment. This vision has continued to drive Pepperoni, which is the reason the brand has remained consistent in its product offerings across locations.”

He explained that the third outlet is sited in Bayelsa because the state is considered ‘Pepperoni’s home’. He said Bayelsans welcomed him with open arms when he was in the state to open business in 2005, a disposition that made him see the area as home.

“Here in 2005, despite absence of any record and collateral, the company took a risk and applied for funding from the state government under the Hospitality and Tourism Industry Funding Programme and received support for expansion from President Jonathan when he was governor. The fund, alongside existing prudent and efficient management system, enabled the company to remodel and expand its operations in the state. It catapulted us to the enviable level we are today. As a result, we have been able to build a successful business; the company has been able to build six modern outlets across key Niger Delta states, making it one of the fastest growing and leading brand in the food service sector,” Idogun said.

He noted that the outlet is crucial as it marks a major step in its vision towards establishing a full-fledged catering school and farm to serve “our offices and raise entrepreneurs in the food and culinary industry.”

Idogun said the desire of the Pepperoni team is to groom business owners who recognise no limits in their skills/abilities and trust their ingenuity to take them to rare heights in the food industry.

“Our business is built around our customers as they are the reason we open our doors everyday. As an organisation, we have identified service excellence as a product of different factors. Capacity building at our outlets does not only focus on skills but world-class service delivery.”

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS), Pepperoni, on yearly basis, organises Children’s Day party where it gives gift items to kids. During the recent celebration, children’s party was organised in all its outlets including the new one.

The restaurant was among winners of the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship. It was selected based on its robust CSR programme.