Spur Keeps Growing Despite Tough Times: New Restaurants, Fresh Concepts, and a Stronger Brand

Walk into a Spur on a Friday night and you’ll still see the same familiar sight, families celebrating birthdays, kids running around the play area, and sizzling platters filling the air with that unmistakable aroma. But behind the nostalgia, Spur Corporation is quietly rewriting its growth story, even as many South Africans feel the pinch of a weak economy.

Growth Against the Odds

South Africans have been tightening their belts for years. Interest rate cuts have helped a little, but for many households, higher electricity bills, food prices, and debt repayments mean there’s less cash left for eating out.

Yet Spur’s latest results show the group is bucking the trend. In the year ending June 2025, Spur added 31 new restaurants locally and 15 abroad, bringing its global network to 724 outlets across 14 countries. That’s a net gain of 23 new stores, despite some closures along the way.

All five of Spur’s brands, Spur, Panarottis, John Dory’s, RocoMamas, and its speciality lines, managed to expand. South Africans might be spending carefully, but they’re still choosing to spend at brands they trust.

A Fresh Look for Familiar Names

It’s not just about more outlets, it’s about better ones. Spur has rolled out a refreshed brand identity across 51 stores, while Panarottis is halfway through a major revamp, with 55% of its network already trading under the updated design.

John Dory’s has started the process too, with three new-look outlets already trading and five more in the pipeline. Customers have responded positively, praising the modernised spaces without losing the sense of comfort these brands are known for.

This facelift strategy isn’t cosmetic, it’s a calculated move to keep up with changing tastes and tougher competition. Not only are they fighting traditional fast-food rivals, but also supermarkets offering restaurant-quality ready meals.

The Numbers Behind the Story

For shareholders, the numbers tell a clear story of resilience:

• Franchised restaurant turnovers: up 8.3% to R11.5 billion

• Group revenue: up 11.2% to R3.9 billion

• Profit before tax: up 17.5% to R401.7 million

• Headline earnings: up 16.5% to R275 million

• Dividend per share: up a hefty 40% to 299 cents

Much of this growth came from retail company stores (up 46.3%) and a boost from the Doppio Collection restaurants, alongside manufacturing and distribution gains.

Spur isn’t slowing down. The group plans to open 42 more restaurants in South Africa and 14 internationally in 2026. With 10 brands in its stable and a strong foothold in family dining, it’s positioning itself to capture market share even as the broader economy struggles.

Of course, challenges remain. Disposable income is still under pressure, and South Africa’s restaurant industry is as competitive as it’s ever been. But Spur’s mix of local roots, smart reinvention, and data-driven customer engagement (yes, they’re leaning on AI for targeted marketing) gives it an edge.

Social Buzz: Loyalty Still Strong

Scroll through South African Twitter (or X) and you’ll find plenty of posts about rising living costs, but Spur often sneaks into the conversation as a small indulgence families won’t give up. From birthday parties to midweek takeaways, Spur’s ability to remain part of the culture is perhaps its greatest strength.

As one user joked: “Times are tough, but Spur’s nachos are non-negotiable.”

Spur’s story in 2025 is more than just a balance sheet win. It’s a reminder that South Africans still seek moments of connection around food, even when money is tight. By investing in store upgrades, keeping its pricing competitive, and expanding carefully, Spur is proving that a beloved local brand can not only survive but thrive even in lean times.

{Source: BusinessTech}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com