What are the Biggest Franchises in South Africa

The franchise sector is a significant contributor to the South African local economy. The sector consists of a variety of categories, with the three largest categories being fast food and restaurants (26%), retailing (18%), and building office and home services (10%). The Franchise Administration team has provided information on what the biggest franchises are in South Africa in the sections below…so keep reading!

Some of the Biggest Franchises in South Africa

KFC

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is the most prolific fast-food brand in South Africa, with the American fried chicken giant boasting 1052 stores across the country – the fifth-largest market globally. The brand has been in South Africa since the 1970s and remains a firm favourite with consumers.

Steers

Steers is a popular South African quick-service restaurant brand, that serves burgers and chips. The quality of the food and the ingredients, along with the trust that people have in the Steers brand, allows it to remain a successful franchise brand in the country.

Wimpy

Wimpy is a fast-food chain that has definitely found success in South Africa. The franchise brand is still a family favourite, creating memorable moments every day, with more than 500 stores nationwide.

Debonairs Pizza

The success of the Debonairs Pizza brand bears testament to the ability of South African franchisors to build robust and attractive franchises. The brand significantly contributes to the community through making flat bread from excess pizza dough and delivering it to charities and organisations that feed children, the elderly, and families in need.

Nando’s

Nando’s grew from humble beginnings in Rosettenville in the South of Johannesburg, to a multinational franchise with locations across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and stores in the rest of Africa. The brand has over 300 stores in South Africa and is much loved for its peri-peri chicken offerings and cheeky advertising campaigns.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s entered the South African market in 1994 and was the driving force behind the growth of the drive-through format in South Africa. The brand now operates close to 400 restaurants in nine of South Africa’s provinces. McDonald’s is renowned for its training throughout the world. The brand has trained and employed over 12 000 South Africans at various levels, including franchisees, restaurant managers, and crew.

Pick n’ Pay

The Group is a retail business in the fast‑moving consumer goods industry and operates 2204 stores across multiple formats in eight countries across Africa. With their 56-year history, the brand benefits from strong brand loyalty and broad socio-economic appeal within the regions they serve.