Famous Brands has reported strong results for its 2026 financial year, with its executives getting paid handsomely for the food service franchisor’s performance.
Famous Brands released its results for the year through February 2026 on Monday, 18 May.
The results revealed that Famous Brands’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Hele earned R13.963 million for the year. This roughly works out to R1.164 million a month or R38,255 a day.
Despite the notable earnings, Hele’s remuneration increased by only 1.48% to R13.759 million from R13.759 million in 2025.
His total remuneration package for 2026 included a base salary of R5.827 million, R4.099 million in bonuses, R538,000 in pension fund contributions, and R3.499 million in other benefits and payments.
The company’s other executive, group financial director, Nelisiwe Shiluvana, received R6.960 million for the 2026 financial year. This works out to R580,000 a month or R19,068 a day.
Despite being paid considerably less than Hele, her total remuneration for 2026 is 18.67% higher than the R5.865 million received in 2025.
These remuneration figures are underpinned by a strong performance, with a 5.6% increase in revenue to R8.74 billion and a 4.5% increase in operating profit to R955.08 million.
The group reported a profit of R653.53 million for the year, marking an 11.8% increase from the 2025 financial year.
Its basic earnings per share grew by 9.69% to 600 cents, while headline earnings per share increased by 12.12% to 583 cents.
This strong financial performance was driven by the company’s Supply Chain division, which grew revenue to R6.18 billion, up 7.21%.
In terms of its restaurant business, the company’s Leading Brands portfolio grew revenue by 5.95% to R1.03 billion. This segment’s operating profit increased by 4.95% to R541.85 million.
Famous Brands’ Leading Brands include Steers, Debonairs Pizza, Fishaways, Mugg and Bean, Wimpy, and Milky Lane.
Its Signature Brands’ revenue was up 1.77% to R201.84 million, but deepened its operating loss to R10.59 million.
Its Signature Brands include Turn n Tender, Fego, Salsa Mexican Grill, Mythos, Vovo Telo, NetCafe, Coffee Couture, Lupa, and Paul.
Plans to expand
Looking ahead, Famous Brands said it will direct its investment towards delivery channels, smaller-format restaurants, and drive-thrus to meet sustained demand for convenience.
“Our restaurant pipeline is healthy, with interest from both new and existing franchise partners,” it said.
The company also plans to expand its presence in the Southern African Development Community, the Rest of Africa, and the Middle East (AME), with a focus on selected priority markets.
Over the reporting year, Famous Brands restructured its AME management team to reduce costs, including bringing its Dubai operations back to South Africa.
“We are bullish on our prospects in Malaysia, following the opening of a combo Steers and Debonairs Pizza restaurant in December 2025,” the group said.
This opening was done in partnership with MESRA, a wholly owned subsidiary of PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad.
The group is also investing in its Supply Chain division, with an eye on improving efficiency and customer service to its franchise partners.
“Across the Supply Chain, the group is well-positioned to leverage its strengthened infrastructure to drive improved productivity and profitability while servicing a larger franchise network,” it said.
“Our strategy remains resilient and flexible in a constrained operating environment. Our model is underpinned by franchise partners who remain agile and committed to reinvestment in our brands,” said CEO Hele.
“A continued focus on efficiency and cost discipline is expected to support the quality of our earnings and our long-term sustainability.”
He added that the company intends to continue with its capital allocation priorities of earnings distribution, a share buyback programme, paying down debt, and investing in business growth.
On the back of these results, Famous Brands declared a final dividend of 220 cents per share, adding to the interim dividend of 162 cents it declared in August 2025.
