El Jannah, the Australian charcoal chicken chain that grew from a single Western Sydney shop to a 50-unit operation, has secured a strategic investment from General Atlantic to fuel an ambitious expansion that will nearly quadruple its restaurant count to 200 locations.
The brand, founded by Lebanese migrants Andre and Carole Estephan in Granville in 1998, plans to open more than 25 restaurants in the next 12 months alone across New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.
The partnership with General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm founded in 1980, marks a significant milestone for the family-led business, which has processed 160,000 transactions weekly across its current locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Wollongong, and the Southern Highlands.
Sharing the flavours of Lebanon
“From the day Carole and I opened our first restaurant in Granville, our dream was simple — to share the flavours and hospitality we grew up with in Lebanon,” Andre Estephan said. “We built El Jannah with our family for Australian families. We now want to carry that dream into its next generation, while keeping our culture, values and identity exactly where they belong — at the heart of the business.”
El Jannah has experienced rapid growth since 2020, expanding from just five locations to its current 50 units. The brand has built its reputation on charcoal-grilled chicken platters, signature garlic sauce, and what it describes as Lebanese family hospitality.
An exciting restaurant offering
Among the planned locations for the next year are high-profile markets including Sydney CBD, Cronulla, Maroubra, and Rozelle in New South Wales, and Box Hill, Hawthorn, and South Yarra in Victoria.
CEO Brett Houldin, who will continue to lead the business alongside the Estephan family and General Atlantic, said the investment opens doors to potential international expansion.
“Our partnership with GA means we can explore selective international expansion for the first time, including the possibility of exporting our unique Australian-Middle Eastern flavour profile back to the Middle East, and into other high-potential markets,” Houldin said.
General Atlantic has previously invested in food and beverage companies, including Joe & The Juice and Australian fashion brand Zimmermann.
Neal Kok, Managing Director and Head of Southeast Asia & Australia at General Atlantic, said El Jannah is “one of the most distinctive and exciting restaurant offerings we have seen in Australia.”
The Estephan family will remain deeply involved in the business despite the new investment partnership, according to the company’s announcement.
