Famous Brands Ltd. has reported a staggering 13.3 percent sales growth for December 2010. South African-based Famous Brands has a robust quick-service and fast casual foodservice portfolio, including Steers, Wimpy (including in the U.K.), Debonairs Pizza, Fishaways, Mugg & Bean, tashas, House of Coffees, Brazilian/Brazilian Cafe, Blacksteer, Giramundo, KEG, McGinty's, Vovo Telo and O'Hagan's.
According to Independent Newspapers, the strong sales over the holiday season debunked predictions of a post-World Cup slump.
During December, 20 restaurants opened and the company is on track to meet its target of 110 new units in the current fiscal year. This would bring the franchise network total to 1,883.
CEO Kevin Hedderwick attributes the positive results to the company's diverse portfolio and restaurant presence in strategic sites such as shopping malls, airports, coastal resorts and on transient routes.
Debonairs Pizza, in particular, benefited from the growth in per-capita pizza consumption; a trend that is now trickling into previously unserviced rural areas. The chain's spinoff, Debonairs Pizza Express, also is reflecting that trend, coming in at 49 percent over expectations for December.
