Top 20 Food Franchises In South Africa (2024)

When it comes to the South African franchise sector, fast food and restaurants remains one of the biggest categories you can find around here. Definitely, there are so many brands that are experts when it comes to food business, and have been able to get acquire a very huge customer base. And while there are several franchising opportunities in the food industry, it is obvious that some are much more ahead of others.

Top 20 Food Franchises In South Africa

Here are 20 prominent food franchises in the country:

1. KFC

KFC is at the forefront for different good reasons, and as a result of various factors too. The famous food firm is one of the earliest of its kind in South Africa (since the 1970s), and has been able to consistently built a loyal customer base all through the years. Right now, the brand has over 950 outlets in different parts of the country, making the company the largest franchised group around here.

There are some 23,000 KFC outlets in different parts of the world, with a presence in 142 countries. According to a report, in South Africa alone, the average KFC outlet attends to some 5,000 customers in just a single week.

2. Steers

Like KFC, there are certain strong factors that contributed to the success of this brand in South Africa. It came around as far back as 1963, and carries a reputation for being the oldest franchise in the country. Steers has been satisfying its customers consistently since its inception, and currently has some 509 stores in different parts of the country.

3. Wimpy

It started in 1967, but has been operating as a UK business before then. However, Wimpy is now a South African thing, and we have to admit the impressive work of its management. With over 400 stores in different parts of South Africa right now, Wimpy is one of the top food franchises in the country.

4. Debonairs Pizza

Debonairs Pizza started humbly back in 1991 and was able to evolve into a big business that can currently boast of about 382 stores in different parts of the country. Definitely, we can’t ignore the fact that a contributing factor to its success revolves around customer satisfaction.

5. Nando’s

Like some other big food businesses like Debonairs Pizza, Nando’s is an indigenous affair that grew from humble beginnings to what it is right now. Here is a food business that is not simply large in South Africa, but has been able to conquer different locations in different parts of the world – talk about in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and even in several other parts of Africa.

6. Spur

Another indigenous one, Spur is among the top food franchises in the country right now. It started in 1967, but currently has 543 stores in different parts of South Africa alone.

7. McDonald’s

While McDonald’s, KFC, is not an indigenous company, it has found great success here since it came back then in 1994. The brand is no doubt one of the biggest in the world, with over 30 000 restaurants globally. In South Africa alone, it can boast of over 200 stores.

8. Chicken Licken

Established in 1981 in South Africa, this brand has grown impressively well and can boast of over 200 outlets today in different parts of the country. In fact, Chicken Licken has a reputation for being the largest non-American fried chicken franchise in the world.

9. Burger King

Burger King is one of the biggest food franchises in South Africa, with a lot of loyal customers who enjoy patronising its outlets. Its stores are located in different parts of the country, and it is understandable why many investors are usually eager to operate under the brand.

10. Fish and Chip Co. 

This food company started in 2009 but has been able to cover a lot of grounds, impressively. Currently, it can boast of around 190 stores in different parts of South Africa, selling sweet fish and chips (amongst others) to tons of customers.

11. Capitan DoRegos

Here is another big one, making millions in the South Africa, and can rightly be regarded as one of the top food franchises around here.

12. Roman’s Pizza

These guys are experts when it comes to stuff like pizza (which is the brand’s  major strength). The company has been growing (and is still committed to expanding) in South Africa, with various outlets around the country already .

13. Barcelo’s   

Barcelo’s is one of the top food franchises in South Africa. The company, which is another indigenous South African thing, started back in 1993. The brand has grown impressively well, and now has several stores in several other countries around the world – in the United Kingdom, Canada, Lesotho, Nigeria, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Sudan, Ghana, Dubai, and so on.

14. Hungry Lion

Hungry Lion is another big food business here, with a good structure in place that helps its investors to thrive under its business operations in South Africa.

15. Pizza Perfect

Pizza Perfect was able to flourish in South Africa via its strategic approach and innovate attempts. Currently, this food company can be regarded as one of the prominent in the industry.

16. Sandwich Baron

Sandwich Baron is part of the top food franchises in the country at the moment, making good money for its investors every year, and satisfying a whole lot of customers too.

17. King Pie

Another prominent food franchise in South Africa, this brand has distinguished itself in the country when it comes to selling pies and pastries. Growing with its strategic franchising approach, investors willing to operate a business under the brand are given the opportunity to opt for any of its several models – a King Pie store, express unit, or kiosk. Interestingly, in spite of its status, this is still part of the cheapest food franchise businesses to invest in.

18. Kauai

This is another prominent food company in South Africa with franchising opportunities that can be taken advantage of by investors willing to thrive in the food sector.

19. Fishaways

With a reputation for selling sweet stuff, Fishaways has emerged in the clique of the outstanding guys in the South African food industry.

20. Pie City

This is another superb indigenous one, which started in 1994. With its humble beginnings, Pie City was able to develop via its franchise concept to become a business that can currently boast of having about 165 stores across South Africa today.

Cheap Food Franchises In South Africa

Many investors are discouraged from getting a food franchise due to its huge fees. Nevertheless, here are some of the cheapest food franchises in the country:

1. Corner Bakery

If you want to opt for a cheap food franchise, you can consider Corner Bakery. One of the reasons this is still affordable is because it can be operated on a small scale. In fact, many of its stores can do fine with just four team members. You will need between R400,000 and R600,000 to get in.

2. King Pie

This brand is one of the foremost in the food industry, but its franchises are among the cheapest food franchise businesses to get in South Africa. Investors would need around R550,000 (excluding VAT) to operate under the brand, and you have different models to opt for.

3. Sausage Saloon

Sausage Saloon has been around since 1997 and has been doing well in South Africa ever since. It can currently boast of over a hundred outlets in different parts of the country, and you can get in with around R795,000. If you are passionate about this industry, you may want to get in now that it is still affordable.

4. The Fish & Chip Co. 

Here is another success food business in South Africa with some 190 outlets already, despite that it was founded in 2009. The company wants to open new stores, and are set to partner with interested franchisees. You will be needing around R699,000 to setup a new Fish & Chip Co. outlet in South Africa.

5. Chip ‘n Dip

You will need around R220,000 to get Chip ‘n Dip franchise – which is one of the cheapest you will find around here. The food company currently has over 100 outlets, despite starting out in 1990. You can take advantage of its cheap fees to get in too.

Fast Food Franchises In South Africa

These fast food companies offers superb franchising opportunities in South Africa:

1. McDonalds

2. Burger King

3. KFC

4. Nandos

5. Fish and Chip Co.

6. Wimpy

7. Capitan DoRegos

8. Debonairs

9. Steers

10. Roman’s Pizza

11. Barcelo’s

12. Hungry Lion

13. Pizza Perfect

14. Sandwich Baron

15. Chicken Licken

16. King Pie

17. Kauai

18. Fishaways

19. Pie City

20. ChesaNyama

Related:

• Top 10 Most Profitable Franchises In South Africa
• List Of New Franchises Coming To South Africa
• BP Franchise Opportunities In South Africa
• List Of Franchise Under r100 000 In South Africa
• Top 10 Cheapest Franchises In South Africa

In Conclusion

These are the top food franchises in South Africa that has been able to consistently build a loyal customer base via its delightful products and services.