What Simbisa does

Simbisa Brands Limited is a publicly listed quick service restaurant operator headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe, with a regional headquarters in Ebene, Mauritius. The company runs a portfolio of 17 restaurant brands across 9 African countries — Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Mauritius, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa and Lubumbashi), Eswatini, and Malawi — operating 640 branded outlets as of 31 March 2023 and employing approximately 5,527 people. The brand mix spans chicken (Chicken Inn, Galito's, Nando's), pizza (Pizza Inn), ice cream (Creamy Inn), bakery (Baker's Inn), fish and seafood (Fish Inn, Ocean Basket), casual dining (RocoMamas, Steers, Grilll Shack), coffee and confectionery (Vida e Caffè, Haefelis, Vasilis), and on-the-go delivery (Dial a Delivery, Grab & Go). The outlet network is concentrated along busy track routes, central business districts, urban areas, and food courts to ensure consistent access to mass-market urban consumers seeking affordable quick service meals.

The business combines an owner-operator model in core markets (Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Mauritius, and Namibia) with franchise expansion across Africa and master licenses for internationally recognized brands (Nando's and Steers in Zimbabwe; RocoMamas in Zimbabwe; Galito's in Africa; and Vida e Caffè). Revenue is generated through three streams: direct restaurant sales at owned and franchised outlets, initial franchise fees and ongoing royalties paid by franchisees in exchange for brand, training, operations, and management support, and delivery revenue from the proprietary Dial a Delivery platform. Simbisa both owns the IPRs of homegrown African brands (Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Creamy Inn, Baker's Inn, Fish Inn) and operates licensed brands — a combined ownership-plus-license structure that is unusual within the African QSR sector.

The technology layer centers on the Dial a Delivery app, with iOS and Android clients and centralized call centers enabling order management and tracking across Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Mauritius. Marketing is conducted primarily via corporate social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), the corporate website, and the Dial a Delivery app as a bottom-of-funnel conversion surface. Simbisa Brands was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Innscor Africa Limited on 5 August 2015 and acquired all assets and liabilities of Innscor's QSR Business through a scheme of reconstruction on 1 October 2015, in exchange for 541,593,440 shares; it remains majority-owned by Innscor, a diversified conglomerate listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange since 1998, and itself lists on the ZSE under the Simbisa Brands Limited legal entity.

Name

Simbisa

Legal name

Simbisa Brands Limited

Website

https://simbisabrands.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Simbisa Brands Limited operates 640 quick service restaurant outlets across 9 African countries, running 17 brands spanning chicken, pizza, bakery, and seafood. The Zimbabwe-listed, Innscor-controlled company serves mass-market consumers via owned outlets, franchisees, and its Dial a Delivery app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quick Service Restaurants

NAICS

Limited-Service Restaurants (722513)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Concept / Global QSR Chains (Mixed Menus) (THAFAAAO)

Keywords

• Quick service restaurants
• Restaurant chain operations
• Fast food franchising
• Pan-african restaurants
• Food delivery services

Headquarters

HQ city

Harare

HQ country

Zimbabwe

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Sales: Direct sales from company-owned and operated quick service restaurant outlets across multiple brands including Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Creamy Inn, Baker's Inn, Fish Inn, Steers, Nando's, RocoMamas, Haefelis, Ocean Basket, Grilll Shack, Vasilis, Grab & Go, Vida e Caffè, Galito's, and Dial a Delivery
2. Franchise Fees and Royalties: Initial franchise fees and ongoing royalties collected from franchisees in exchange for licensed rights to operate under Simbisa brand names, plus training, operations, management and brand support services
3. Delivery Service Revenue: Revenue from Dial a Delivery service through centralized call centers and mobile app ordering, extending Simbisa brands to consumers via delivery

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Simbisa Brands operates and franchises a portfolio of 17 quick service restaurant, casual dining and confectionery brands — including Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Creamy Inn, Baker's Inn, Fish Inn, Steers, Nando's, RocoMamas, Galito's, Vida E Caffè, Haefelis, Vasilis, Grab & Go, Ocean Basket and Grilll Shack — through 640+ branded counters across 9 African countries. The group supplements dine-in and takeaway with the Dial a Delivery centralized call center and mobile app for last-mile food delivery.

Product overview

Simbisa Brands operates a diversified portfolio of 17 restaurant brands across Africa, spanning Quick Service Restaurants (Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Creamy Inn, Baker's Inn, Fish Inn, Steers, Galito's, Vida e Caffè, Grab & Go), Casual Dining chains (RocoMamas, Nando's, Ocean Basket, Grilll Shack), and Confectionery & Coffee Houses (Haefelis, Vasilis). The company also operates Dial a Delivery as a centralized delivery service spanning all brands. With 640+ outlets across 9 African countries, the portfolio includes both owned brands and licensed master franchises (Nando's Zimbabwe, Steers Zimbabwe, RocoMamas Zimbabwe, Galito's Africa, Vida e Caffè).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chicken Inn: Quick Service Restaurant - Fried chicken, burgers, rotisserie chicken, wings and hand cut chips. 121 restaurants across Africa.
• Pizza Inn
• Creamy Inn
• Baker's Inn
• Fish Inn
• RocoMamas
• Nando's
• Steers
• Galito's
• Dial a Delivery
• Vida e Caffè
• Grab & Go
• Haefelis
• Ocean Basket
• Grilll Shack
• Vasilis

Products and services

• Chicken Inn Fried chicken quick service restaurant brand offering signature fried chicken pieces, burgers, rotisserie chicken, wings and hand-cut chips for mass-market consumers across Africa, with 121 restaurants.
• Pizza Inn Quick service pizza chain offering freshly made pizza with signature all-natural tomato sauce, in-house-produced dough, Twisty Bread, Wingz and Double Meal options, with 111 restaurants across Africa.
• Creamy Inn Ice cream and frozen treats brand offering soft serve cones, cups, milkshakes, sundaes and waffles through 76 stand-alone stores and mall kiosks across Africa.
• Baker's Inn Bakery and baked goods brand offering sliced breads, bread rolls, pies, doughnuts, scones, buns and cakes across 53 outlets in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya, opening from 6am and operating 24 hours in selected locations.
• Fish Inn Fish and chips quick service restaurant specializing in crispy fried fillets, grilled calamari, fish burgers, fish wraps and prawns across 2 outlets in Zimbabwe and Malawi.
• RocoMamas Casual dining burger restaurant with funky rock 'n roll decor offering customized smashed burgers, mofo wings, craft beer, ribs and free Wi-Fi.
• Nando's (Zimbabwe) Flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken restaurant with Afro-Portuguese inspired decor and warm atmosphere, operating 12 outlets under Simbisa's master license for Zimbabwe only.
• Steers (Zimbabwe) Burger brand serving 100% pure beef flame-grilled burgers and freshly cut chips across 18 restaurants; Leisure Options Award winner for Best Burger for 18 years running and Best Chips for 14 years running. Licensed for Zimbabwe only.
• Galito's Flame-grilled chicken brand using natural ingredients in marinades and bastings, operating 38 restaurants under Simbisa's master license for Galito's Africa.
• Dial a Delivery Centralized call center and mobile app (iOS/Android) delivery service extending Simbisa's brand portfolio to consumers with automated order mapping and tracking across Zimbabwe, Kenya and Mauritius.
• Vida e Caffè Quick service coffee and pastry café inspired by European sidewalk cafés, offering Pasteis de Nata, Quattro Muffin and sit-down breakfast/lunch options across 5 outlets in Mauritius and Ghana under master license.
• Grab & Go Quick service brand for on-the-go urban professionals offering freshly baked pies, shawarma wraps, fried and grilled chicken, toasted sandwiches, burgers and breakfast meals from the Pomona Zuva Service Station outlet in Zimbabwe.
• Haefelis Confectionery and coffee house brand offering freshly ground Arabica coffee, home-style breakfasts, pastries, toasted sandwiches, gourmet burgers and flame-grilled chicken meals in Zimbabwe.
• Ocean Basket Mediterranean-inspired seafood restaurant chain serving fish and chips, prawns and seafood dishes at affordable prices in Zimbabwe.
• Grilll Shack American-inspired casual dining chain in Kenya famous for legendary ribs, aged-to-perfection steaks and 100% pure Angus beef burgers with open-style kitchen in food court settings.
• Vasilis Confectionery and coffee house brand offering freshly baked goods and coffee treats across 5 outlets in Kenya and Zambia.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Abha Light FoundationminorOthersSimbisa Brands Kenya Limited partnered with Abha Light Foundation on a Children's Health Care Initiative Programme (CHCI) from November 2017 to March 2018. They co-branded on donation tins placed on all counters to raise funds for spirulina production to benefit malnourished children in drought-stricken areas. Approximately 195 children currently receive spirulina supplements monthly.
• Mater HospitalminorOthersSimbisa Brands Kenya Limited partnered with Mater Hospital for their annual Mater Heart Run, offering an in-kind partnership worth approximately Kshs 500,000 and allowing t-shirt sales in outlets to raise funds for children with heart diseases.
• Good Shepherd's Children's HomeminorOthersSimbisa Brands Kenya visited Good Shepherd's Children's Home which houses over 50 children with special needs, providing meals, cleaning the institution, and spending time with the children.
• Caritas Ile MauriceminorOthersPizza Inn Mauritius works with Caritas Ile Maurice for their Kids Pizza Making Masterclass events, targeting underprivileged children associated with the charity.
• SOS Children's Village MauritiusminorOthersPizza Inn Mauritius partners with SOS Children's Village Mauritius for their Saturday Kids Pizza Making Masterclass events open to underprivileged children.
• Lions Club FlacqminorOthersPizza Inn partnered with Lions Club Flacq to put on a Kids Pizza Making event and Pizza Eating Contest, with all proceeds going to the charity. The event had over 500 attendees and raised over Rs20,000.
• Rotaract ClubminorOthersPizza Inn Mauritius works with Rotaract Club for their Kids Pizza Making Masterclass events targeting underprivileged children.
• Chicken Inn Football ClubminorOthersSimbisa Brands is the sponsor of Chicken Inn Football Club, which has 3 teams in the Bulawayo Province Junior League (under 14, under 16, under 18) and an under 20 team playing in ZIFA Bulawayo Province Division 2 league. The sponsorship keeps youth off streets and provides employment.
• Emerald Hill Children's HomeminorOthersSimbisa Brands donates meals and cakes for children's birthday parties as well as project funding to support the home caring for approximately 90 orphaned and vulnerable children aged 3 to 20.
• USAP Community SchoolminorOthersSimbisa Brands contributed funding for Phase One construction of the permanent campus including three classrooms, two laboratories, six student residences, and eight teachers' houses. Bakers Inn provides bread for students and Simbisa co-hosts the Roger Brackeley Marathon with HAC.
• JCI Greenwood ParkminorOthersIn partnership with the City of Harare and JCI, Simbisa is undertaking a 2-year project to fix up Greenwood Park to increase levels of use, physical activity, and overall health and well-being of the community.
• Wildlife Environment ZimbabweminorOthersSimbisa supports the Pumping Legs for Water initiative that raises funds to maintain water pumps in Hwange National Park. Donations include trophies, t-shirts, uniforms, and meal vouchers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Famous Brands: South African multi-brand restaurant group that owns/operates Steers, Mugg & Bean, and other QSR/casual dining chains across Africa. Highly comparable to Simbisa given shared pan-African multi-brand franchise model and overlapping brand portfolio (Steers).
• Galito's (parent company): South African-origin flame-grilled chicken QSR brand for which Simbisa holds the Africa master license. Comparable chicken-led QSR concept with shared brand identity in Simbisa's portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Yum! Brands: Global multi-brand QSR parent of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger. Comparable asset-light franchise model and a key competitor as KFC expands across African growth markets targeted by Simbisa.
• Nando's Group Holdings: Global owner of the Nando's brand, which Simbisa licenses for Zimbabwe. Comparable flame-grilled chicken QSR model with international franchising architecture.
• Domino's Pizza: Global pizza delivery-led QSR franchisor with active African expansion. Comparable delivery-driven pizza QSR model competing with Pizza Inn across Simbisa's footprint.
• Spur Corporation: JSE-listed South African restaurant group operating franchise and company-owned casual-dining and QSR brands (Spur Steak Ranches, Panarottis, John Dory's) across Africa. Comparable multi-brand restaurant operator with pan-African ambitions.
• Restaurant Brands International: Global multi-brand QSR operator (Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs). Comparable franchise-led multi-brand strategy and a relevant competitor for Steers and RocoMamas in African markets.

Others

• Innscor Africa: Simbisa's parent conglomerate and a diversified ZSE-listed group. Included as a related-party comparable given governance, capital allocation, and shared operational history with Simbisa.

Emerging players

• Chicken Republic: Leading African-focused chicken QSR chain headquartered in Nigeria with expanding footprint across West and East Africa. Direct competitor in the African value-chicken QSR segment that Simbisa targets with Chicken Inn and Galito's.
• Java House: Kenya-headquartered coffee-led QSR and casual dining chain with regional presence. Comparable quick-service coffee/dining operator competing with Simbisa's Baker's Inn, Vida e Caffè, and Haefelis brands in East Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SimbisaBrands
• Facebookfacebook.com/SimbisaBrands
• Instagraminstagram.com/simbisabrands

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simbisa