Two Of South Africa’s Most Popular Fast-Food Brands Going International.
Famous Brands has successfully launched a Steers and Debonairs combo in Malaysia, marking the group’s entry into the market, which it is quite optimistic about.
This, despite the group’s other international operations in the UK, the Middle East and Africa struggling in the past financial year.
For the full year ending February 2026, Famous Brands recorded solid results, with revenue jumping to R8.74 billion, up from R8.28 billion the year prior.
Operating profits were up to R956.6 million for the year (from R916.1 million in 2025), with headline earnings recorded at R584 million (up from R520 million the year prior).
The group declared a final dividend of 220 cents per share (2025: 195 cents per share) to the
amount of R220.4 million.
This, it said, reflected its stable financial position, despite the challenging economic environment.
According to the group’s results, much of its success is tied to South Africa, where most of its restaurants and franchises operate.
The group has a total of 3,043 restaurants across South Africa, the SADC region, the Rest of Africa and Middle East (AME), and the United Kingdom.
The restaurants are split among its Leading brands (Steers, Debonairs, Fishaways, Wimpy, etc), Signature brands (LUPA, Mythos, Salsa, Turn n Tender, etc) and other brands segments.
The leading brands segment focuses on mainstream quick-service and casual dining brands and generated the bulk of the group’s restaurant revenue in South Africa at R1.03 billion (2025: R969.3 million).
The Signature segment consists of niche brands and generated R201.8 million in revenue, a marginal increase from R198.3 million in 2025.
In terms of profitability, however, the contrast is stark, with Leading brands generating R541.85 million in operating profit, and Signature brands posting a R10.59 million loss.
While overall segment revenue increased marginally, core franchise-related income declined, including franchise and marketing fees.
The segment also experienced higher operational costs against the backdrop of poorer economic conditions in South Africa.
These include elevated food and fuel prices and supply chain disruptions, which disproportionately affect niche and casual dining brands where consumers may be more price sensitive.
Despite this, the group said that it remains optimistic about the business, noting that it has made a concerted effort to address areas of non-performance.
“This should be evident in our 2027 results. We are confident in our growth prospects across formats, technology and menu development.”
Expanding beyond South Africa
One of the more notable areas for prospective growth is the company’s expansion plans, particularly in new markets.
It said that investment is being directed towards delivery channels, smaller-format restaurants, and drive-thrus to meet sustained demand for convenience.
“Our restaurant pipeline is healthy, with interest from both new and existing franchise partners,” it noted.
“Expansion in the SADC and AME regions will be pursued through a measured and targeted approach, focusing on selected priority markets.”
The group said it has restructured its AME management team to reduce costs, including bringing its Dubai operations back to South Africa.
However, it is really bullish on prospects in Malaysia, following the opening of a combo Steers and Debonairs Pizza restaurant in December 2025.
This was done in partnership with MESRA, a wholly owned subsidiary of PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad, it said.
Entering the new markets and expansion will be tested by strained international operations, especially in the United Kingdom.
The group suffered an operating loss in the UK Wimpy segment, which amounted to R9.5 million for the 2026 financial year, compared to a R7.1 million profit in 2025.
Revenue for the UK segment fell by approximately 9.4% to R119.2 million, down from R131.6 million in the prior year.
This was primarily driven by declining revenue and a difficult macroeconomic environment, it said.
Similar pain was felt in the Rest of Africa and Middle East region, where the group suffered a R34.8 million operating loss—however, this was narrowed from the R42.7 million loss the year before.
