Famous Brands (formerly known as Steers Group) is a South African-based conglomerate predominately dealing in quick service and casual dining restaurants, and is currently headquartered in Midrand. Originally founded in the 1960s, it became listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 1994.

Famous Brands Limited
Company typePublic
JSE: FBR
Industry
  • Quick service
  • Casual dining restaurants
  • Food and Beverage manufacturing
  • Logistics
Founded1960s
FounderGeorge Halamandres
Headquarters
Midrand, Johannesburg
,
South Africa
Area served
South Africa, United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa
Key people
  • Darren Hele (CEO) (2022)[1]
  • Santie Botha (Chairman) (2022)[2]
RevenueR6.5 billion (2022)[3]
R630 million (2022)[4]
Websitehttps://famousbrands.co.za

Besides its core business activities, the company is also involved in food and beverage manufacturing and logistics with a focus on owning and managing the back-end supply chain of its restaurants.

History

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Founded by George Halamandress in the 1960s, Famous Brands originally was known as Steers. Halamandress had previously created the original Milky Lane ice cream parlours, followed in quick succession by the first South African steakhouse.[5]

In 1999, Steers Group acquired Debonairs Pizza.[6]

In August 2003, Famous Brands acquired Pleasure Foods, which included the South African master franchise license for Wimpy for R150.6m.[7]

In February 2007, Famous Brands acquired a majority stake in Wimpy.[8]

In July 2009, Famous Brands acquired Mugg & Bean.[9]

In September 2016, Famous Brands acquired Gourmet Burger Kitchen in the United Kingdom from Capricorn Ventures for £120 million.[10] In October 2020, Gourmet Burger Kitchen was sold to Boparan Restaurant Group for an undisclosed sum.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Financial results".
  2. ^ "Financial results".
  3. ^ "Financial results".
  4. ^ "Financial results".
  5. ^ "Some memories of Rosebank in 1966 | The Heritage Portal". www.theheritageportal.co.za. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  6. ^ Agrawal, Vanshika (11 January 2023). "Debonairs Pizza SWOT & PESTLE Analysis | SWOT & PESTLE". SWOT & PESTLE.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Steers buys Pleasure Foods". Business. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Wimpy links with Rascals for year-long promotion". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  9. ^ simon (27 July 2009). "Mugg & Bean joins Group". Famous Brands. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Wimpy owner, Famous Brands, buys Gourmet Burger Kitchen for £120m". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 1 September 2016. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  11. ^ Butler, Sarah (14 October 2020). "Ranjit Singh Boparan buys Gourmet Burger Kitchen in rescue deal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
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