Type Franchise Industry Food and Beverage Headquarters Midrand, South Africa Founder George Halamandres Parent organization Famous Brands | Traded as (JSE: FBR) Genre Take-Aways and Diners Number of locations 525 Founded 1970 | |
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Steers 200g big up burger combo
Steers has become one of South Africa’s most recognizable quick-service restaurant brands. The company is well known for serving flame-grilled burgers’ made from 100% pure beef and handmade chips. Other menu items include chicken burgers, ribs and Hero rolls as well as ice-creams and milkshakes.
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Steers rib burger broke bakkie mountain
History
Steers founder, George Halamandaris introduced the first steakhouse concept to South Africa after spending time in the United States. The name “Steers” evolved over the years from a variety of names, starting with Golden Spur, then Seven Steer followed by Branded Steer and Longhorn Steer.
The first ever Steers store was opened in 1970 by George’s son, John Halamandaris, in Jeppe, Johannesburg. John later joined forces with his four cousins, Panagiotis, Theofanis, Periklis and Charalambous Halamandaris. The early 80s saw the opening of a fourth Steers in Sandton City, which attracted interest from would-be franchisees. The other stores included Yeoville and Bellevue with a central kitchen in Johannesburg.
In the late 80s the Comitis family, who owned the Steers rights in the Western Cape, continued to grow the brand throughout Southern Africa. After decades of growth Steers became the most prominent fast food company in Southern Africa and the Comitis family sold their shares back to the Famous Brands parent company.
Franchise
In 1983, Steers launched a new franchise programme. The owners placed a single advertisement in a local newspaper inviting franchisees to apply, and since then Steers has never had a shortage of prospective franchisees seeking to buy into the franchise. Within two years there were more than 15 outlets opened, and this number grew to 250 stores ten years later. By the end of the 90s Steers started expanding beyond South Africa’s borders, with outlets in Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mauritius, Zambia, Tanzania and Ivory Coast. There are over 500 franchises across South Africa and Africa. A Steers restaurant opened on Lavender Hill, Battersea, London, UK in late July 2013.
Achievements
For 17 years in a row, Steers has been recognized by well-known Johannesburg listing magazine, Leisure Options, for serving the Best Hamburger in the QSR industry. Steers has also won ‘best chips’ for 13 years running.
Steers Holdings Limited was later renamed Famous Brands Limited.