Global, regional, and local leadership join forces at ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark historic expansion and the Caribbean debut of the internationally renowned Southern Fried Chicken franchise

RUBiS Energy Jamaica Limited (REJL) has officially opened its 50th and largest service station in Jamaica, marking the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its newest location on the Portmore Causeway.

The milestone event, which also marked the announcement of the Southern Fried Chicken (SFC) franchise’s arrival in Jamaica, brought together senior leadership from across the RUBiS Group, Southern Fried Chicken’s UK-based parent company, key business partners, and specially invited guests.

The ceremony, moderated by Nicole McCalla, Marketing & Communications Manager at RUBiS Energy Jamaica, was attended by Jean-Christian Bergeron, CEO, RUBiS Énergie and Managing Partner of the RUBiS SCA Group; Mauricio Nicholls, CEO, RUBiS Eastern Caribbean; and Michel Malatino, CEO, RUBiS Energy Jamaica, who opened the proceedings by recognising the partners, team members and RUBiS leadership in attendance.

The new RUBiS Portmore Causeway is the result of a long-term agreement between REJL and TransJamaican Highway, operator of the East-West Highway and the Portmore toll road.

 Group CEO Ivan Anderson joined the celebrations, underscoring the collaborative nature of the development. The location is powered by solar energy through RUBiS’ joint venture with Soleco Energy, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to the solarisation of its network and broader sustainability goals. 

Addressing the gathering, Jean-Christian Bergeron spoke to the significance of the Jamaican market within the global RUBiS portfolio. Jamaica represents the largest single entity in the company’s Caribbean operations, which span 17 territories. The visit by the group CEO, who was appointed in January 2025 following a 34-year career in the oil industry, reflected the Group’s confidence in the continued growth of its Jamaican operations.

Mauricio Nicholls, who led RUBiS’ initial launch in Jamaica and across the Caribbean following the acquisition of Shell West Indies’ assets in 2012, reflected on the journey from acquisition to the 50-station milestone. Since entering the market, REJL has invested significantly in rebuilding and upgrading its network, introducing UltraTec Advanced Fuel Technology, RUBiS Advanced Lubricant Technology, and a chain of UltraShops across the island.

Michel Malatino, CEO REJL, highlighted the strategic importance of the Portmore location, which serves a community of more than 200,000 residents, one of the largest dormitory communities in the English-speaking Caribbean, with an average of more than 38,000 vehicles travelling the causeway daily. He noted that the new station has created approximately 60 jobs, contributing to the roughly 1,200 Jamaicans currently employed across the RUBiS network.

REJL also used the occasion to announce that it has brought the internationally renowned Southern Fried Chicken franchise to Jamaica, as part of its strategy to create a full-service experience for its customers. The restaurant, located within the newly opened RUBiS Portmore Causeway, is the brand’s first location in the English-speaking Caribbean and part of a growing regional partnership between RUBiS and Southern Fried Chicken’s UK-based parent company, Fast Food Systems Brands. REJL expects to be able to open other Southern Fried Chicken outlets on the island in the near future.

Marie Withers, Managing Director, and Andrew Withers, Chairman of Southern Fried Chicken, joined the celebrations. The Withers thanked RUBiS for their continued partnership and shared their ambitions for the Southern Fried Chicken brand in Jamaica and across the wider Caribbean.

The flagship location features a convenient drive-through and open access to the spacious UltraShop for customers wishing to dine in. The restaurant will be operated by franchisees Damion Facey and Venice Anderson, who also manage the RUBiS Portmore Causeway UltraShop and two other RUBiS locations. 

Their appointment reflects REJL’s commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs and developing the next generation of Jamaican business leaders. The company anticipates opening other Southern Fried Chicken locations in the near future.

Following the speeches, guests witnessed the official ribbon cutting at the fuel pumps before reconvening inside the newly opened UltraShop. Attendees were treated to a private tasting of the Southern Fried Chicken menu ahead of the restaurant’s official public opening later this month.

The event was attended by a distinguished roster of invited guests and partners, including Audrey Tugwell Henry, President and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica Limited; William Mahfood, Chairman of Wisynco Group Limited; Duncan Stewart, Managing Director of Stewart’s Automotive Group; Carlos Cabrera, CEO of Kingston Freeport Terminals Limited; and Marcelo Cataldo, Group CEO of Digicel. Olympian and world-record sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were amongst the guests enjoying the celebrations, adding to the profile of the landmark occasion.

The opening of the RUBiS Portmore Causeway station is a milestone in REJL’s growth story, which began with the acquisition of the Shell network and has since seen the company establish itself as one of Jamaica’s leading fuel retailers and energy solutions providers.