( CNN ) -- Sub-Saharan Africa 's economic renaissance is fueling an investment drive by fast food joints looking to tap the continent 's growing middle class . The likes of Kentucky Fried Chicken ( KFC ) and Domino 's pizza are opening up in African growth markets from Nigeria to Angola to give consumers a taste of U.S. cuisine . Elias Schulze , managing partner of The Africa Group , a boutique Africa-focused investment consultancy , said U.S. takeout stores are rapidly becoming `` aspirational brands '' for cosmopolitan Africans with disposable income . He said : `` An upwardly mobile , confident , Western-leaning and young consumer class bodes well for an American burger boom . '' And the battle for the African market is well underway . This year , Yum ! Brands -- owner of KFC , Taco Bell and Pizza Hut -- is expanding into Tanzania , Uganda and Zimbabwe . The Louisville-based restaurant giant already has outlets in 14 African countries , with more than 700 KFCs in South Africa and plans to open a further 45 stores in 2013 . Read this : South Africans thirsty for craft beer . And with growing political and economic stability , Western fast food brands are approaching the region with a renewed sense of optimism , according to Schulze . He said KFC is an established brand on the continent today , adding : `` My general sense is that markets beyond South Africa in sub-Saharan Africa are in the investing phase given their level of infancy and may not have reached a payback point quite yet . '' And more big players are beginning to follow suit . In May , Burger King opened for business in South Africa and last year Domino 's -- the U.S. pizza chain -- opened its first African store in Nigeria , the continent 's most populous nation . With two stores already , Domino 's is planning to launch three more African branches by the end of this year . To cater to local tastes , the pizza chain launched a Chicken Jollof pizza -- a rice-based dish popular to West Africa -- and a Suya special , consisting of spicy marinated meat . Charbel Antoun , partner at Eat N Go , which helped launch Domino 's in Nigeria , said that adapting the menu to the local culture and food was crucial to the brand 's success . He added : `` To compete in the market we have very competitive prices . Ninety-five percent of our customers are Nigerian ... and these are the consumers we 're looking to attract . '' Read this : African firm invests billions in U.S. Price competitive . However , the cost of Western fast food brands in many parts of Africa relative to wages remains high , excluding many people , who simply can not afford it . While sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the world 's fastest-growing economies , millions of people are still languishing in extreme poverty . For example , the cost of a KFC meal in Malawi -- including a burger , fries and drink -- is more than $ 9 but with 50 % of the country 's population below the World Bank 's poverty line , fast food is an unaffordable luxury for most . Across the continent Western brands remain high compared to other parts of the world , according to Schulze . He said the average cost of a KFC meal in Africa is roughly 40 % higher compared to a branch in Brooklyn and 80 % more than a similar meal in Shanghai . Still , the future looks bright for sub-Saharan Africa . On average , the region is set to grow at more than 5 % between 2013-15 as millions of new consumers emerge from poverty and commodity prices continue to rise , according to data from the World Bank . A McKinsey & Company 2012 report on African consumers projects $ 410 billion in growth for consumer-facing industries across Africa by 2020 ; of this roughly 45 % or $ 185 billion will flow from apparel , consumer goods and food businesses . The report also found Africans remain `` exceptionally optimistic about their economic future '' and very brand conscious in purchasing decisions .
Major fast food brands are increasingly opening outlets across Africa . KFC has outlets in many African countries , with over 700 KFCs in South Africa . Pizza chain McDonald 's plans three more African branches by the end of this decade . African restaurants often introduce new dishes to cater to local tastes .