Sleek Foods wins tender to supply KFC

Local Company, Sleek Foods has won a tender to supply the multinational franchise, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) with locally produced chakalaka salad. Launching the product on Friday, Sleek Foods Managing Director, Seleka Nkata said her company passed KFC audit in July this year and it now qualifies to supply all the KFC outlets worldwide.

“I approached KFC in 2015 and they gave me all their pre-requirements and I made sure that I meet them. I am now accredited to supply all the KFC outlets around the world,” she said. Sleek Foods (Pty) Ltd was established in 2010 and it is currently operating from the LEA Pilane Multi-Purpose Incubator. The company produces a locally self-developed condiment, an assortment of relish, in different flavours made from locally produced vegetables.

Sleek Foods registered with the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) in 2013 and has since benefited from numerous interventions availed by LEA including training on taxation and business related courses and facilitation of access to finance. Nkata said their current production is 400kg per day and the demand of KFC is about 6000kg per month.

“We are well equipped to meet the local demand and in the near future we want to expand to the regional market and then grow to the global market,” she said. The company has 12 part-time employees and nine fulltime employees. Nkata said they currently supply major supermarkets such as Sefalana, Pick & Pay, Spar and Choppies Hyper Stores with various relishes including olive oil tomato and onion relishes.

KFC Acting General Manager, Gaamangwe Maruapula said they encourage all local entrepreneurs to be persistent in business and aim higher. “We are happy with Sleek Foods, she will not be the one benefiting but other suppliers of vegetables will also benefit. “She can now approach all the KFC outlets in the region and she will not go through another audit.

There is no limit for her,” said Maruapula. He said Sleek Foods passed the YUM Food safety Audit in their second attempt. “We encourage all the local producers to take note of this and take advantage of the opportunities available,” he said.