Mama Cass, one of Nigeria's food-service brands, has announced its return following an extensive brand refresh, marking a significant moment for the country's quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry.
Established in 1983 at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Mama Cass is widely regarded as a pioneer of Nigeria's early QSR culture, long before the term became mainstream.
In a statement, management revealed that the brand helped formalize Nigerian cuisine within structured cuisine, offering generations of Nigerians consistent, home-style meals such as jollof rice, pounded yam, ofada rice, beans and traditional soups.
The relaunch follows a period of strategic restructuring and operational realignment. Management said the company is reopening with a refreshed corporate identity, upgraded outlets, improved production systems, refined menus and a redesigned customer experience that aims to blend nostalgia with modern efficiency.
Our relaunch represents both continuity and change,” management said. “Mama Cass has always stood for care, comfort and culture. This new chapter honors our founder's legacy while strengthening the organization for the future.”
Mama Cass's return comes at a time when Nigeria's QSR market is increasingly competitive, shaped by rapid urbanisation, a growing youth population and the expansion of foreign and pan-African food chains.
Although the sector has grown steadily, much of that growth has been driven by non-Nigerian menus, including burgers, fried chicken and pizza. Mama Cass's rebranding signals renewed confidence in the commercial potential of Nigerian cuisine on a large scale.
'The Home for Food Lovers': A fresh identity
As part of the refresh, the brand has adopted a new positioning, “The Home for Food Lovers”, which it says reflects its evolution without abandoning its roots.
According to the company, the refreshed identity is designed to attract both longtime customers who have grown up with the brand and younger, urban consumers looking for authentic Nigerian food in a modern setting.
The relaunch includes new refreshed outlet designs inspired by warmth and heritage, enhanced service processes, menu refinements focused on the brand's most popular dishes and strengthened quality-control systems to support future expansion.
Digital transformation and better delivery and takeout options are also part of the strategy, reflecting changing consumer habits.
Despite the upgrade, Mama Cass says its core offering remains unchanged. “We haven't changed who we were before. We've just evolved into something better,” the company said, emphasizing that its traditional dishes and emphasis on comfort remain at the heart of the brand.
The brand's executive director, Abimbola Oladapo, described the relaunch as a personal moment for the company.
“Families have trusted us with their meals for decades. Nigerians have celebrated birthdays with us, shared their first jollof date with us and found comfort in our plates. This return is for them,” Oladapo said.
Furthermore, Mama Cass's return highlights a broader shift within Nigeria's food-service sector, where experience, brand trust and operational sustainability are becoming as important as price. For indigenous brands, rebranding highlights the possibility of modernization without losing cultural relevance.
With operations of dine-in restaurants, delivery and takeout, corporate meal planning and event catering, Mama Cass is positioning itself as a full-service Nigerian food brand rather than a traditional fast-food outlet.
The company currently operates out of VI Lagos and Abuja and says the strong operational structure will support long-term growth.
