General Atlantic Backs El Jannah’s Nationwide Expansion

Sydney-born charcoal chicken chain El Jannah has secured backing from growth equity firm General Atlantic to accelerate a planned national rollout across Australia. The partnership aims to scale the brand beyond its established New South Wales footprint by strengthening operations, supply chains and digital capabilities.

El Jannah, known for its Lebanese-style charcoal chicken and high customer loyalty, will use the capital and strategic support to open new company-owned and franchised locations, invest in kitchen and logistics infrastructure, and enhance customer-facing technology such as online ordering and loyalty programs. The collaboration is positioned as a growth-focused move rather than a management overhaul: El Jannah’s leadership will continue to guide menu and brand direction while leveraging General Atlantic’s experience in scaling consumer-facing businesses.

General Atlantic brings a track record of growth investments across global consumer and technology sectors. In this instance, the firm’s role is expected to encompass advising on market-entry strategy in new regions, optimizing supply chain efficiencies, and helping recruit talent for senior operational roles. Such support aims to improve unit economics and reduce time-to-market for new sites while preserving the restaurant’s distinctive product and customer experience.

Industry observers say the move reflects broader trends in Australian foodservice, where established regional chains partner with growth investors to accelerate expansion amid rising consumer demand and a competitive labor environment. For El Jannah, the challenge will be maintaining quality and cultural authenticity while scaling operations at pace.

While financial terms were not disclosed, the announcement signals confidence from institutional investors in the resilience of casual dining concepts that combine strong food credentials with scalable systems. The deal also highlights how private capital is increasingly instrumental in moving local hospitality brands from single-state success to national presence.

As the expansion unfolds, metrics to watch include the pace of new openings, improvements in delivery and digital sales, franchising uptake, and same-store sales performance. Customers and franchisees can expect measured growth underpinned by targeted investment in infrastructure and talent, with El Jannah aiming to make its signature charcoal chicken available to a broader Australian audience.