Gold Brands Investments Ltd (“GBI”) confirmed today that it has secured the exclusive rights to bring the world famous Harry Ramsden’s restaurant chain to South Africa.  Gold Brands, which owns the highly successful ChesaNyama fast food braai brand, has according to its cautionary announcement entered into detailed negotiations with the British brand to define an Area Development Agreement which will see Gold Brands rolling out the Harry Ramsden’s concept in this country. The area development agreement fees are as yet undisclosed as it may be subject to change until the detailed agreements are concluded.  The JSE AltX-listed company expects to announce the value of the deal at a later date. The iconic British brand, established in 1928 by Harry Ramsden, has over 40 outlets throughout the UK.  While the first Harry Ramsden restaurant opened in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, the firm has expanded well beyond its original Yorkshire heartland, including recently to Doha, ...

Recently listed food franchising company, Gold Brands Investments (“GBI”) and owner of Chesa Nyama , the fastest-growing franchise in South Africa, has signed an agreement which will see its favourite braai brand head to the United States.   The Area Development Agreement (“ADA”) was concluded with private investors – Red Hornbill (Pty) Ltd and The White Family Partnership – the company said in a cautionary issued today.   The ADA allows for the establishment of Chesa Nyama Holdings USA LLC in the USA, with Gold Brands as a partner in the joint venture.  The new US-based company will launch the Chesa Nyama brand in that market and if successful will subsequently franchise the Chesa Nyama brand and concept across the USA.   Says Stelio Nathanael, Chief Operating Officer of Gold Brands Investments:  “We have long had a dream of taking Chesa Nyama beyond the borders of Africa.   The idea has always been to bring our iconic South Afr...

Praxia Nathanael Gold Brands Investments Limited (“GBI”) has confirmed that it has been granted approval by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the listing of its ordinary shares on the AltX board, under the abbreviated name Gold Brands and share code GBI, with the commencement of trading on Friday, 12 February 2016. This will make it the only listed food and franchising share currently on the AltX.  The approval comes close on the heels of the announcement of Gold Brands R100-million BEE partnership with Circle Food Group, which will control 41,02% of the shares in issue at listing. The balance of the shares will be held by founders Praxia and Stelio Nathanael with the remaining 17,96% being held by the public which largely includes its suppliers and franchisees. The R25-millon cash raised via the BEE transaction and the private placement will immediately be used to fund working capital and expansion. Gold Brands Investments CEO, Praxia Nathanael says that the group is ...

Circle to control 41.02% stake Ahead of its listing on the JSE AltX, Gold Brands Investments (“GBIL”) announced today that it has concluded a R100-million deal with Circle Food Group.  The date of the listing is yet to be confirmed by the JSE, however, at listing, Circle Food Group will control a 41.02% stake in the fast-growing franchise food business established by Stelio and Praxia Nathanael, which has over 300 stores in its flagship brand, Chesa Nyama. It has four other food brands in its stable.  Circle Food Group’s major shareholder is Circle Capital Ventures (Pty) Ltd, which is a black-owned investment holding company, whose Chairperson is Hlumelo Biko and Chief Executive is Clive Rugara.   It is the private equity arm of Circle Capital Group specialising in expansion capital investments and was established by the Biko and Rugara families in 2002.  The private equity firm previously held a portfolio of diversified private equity investments and c...

Gold Brands Investments Ltd (“GBIL”), owners of South Africa’s fastest growing fast food franchise, Chesa Nyama , announced its intention to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange AltX. This will make it the only fast food retail company on the AltX. The company, founded as Franchising to Africa (Pty) Ltd in 2012, established its flagship brand, Chesa Nyama, with its first store at Wits University in 2012 and grew rapidly to a current total of 289 stores in just three years and creating over 3 000 jobs.  The traditional flame-grilled meat franchise was also recently awarded the RASA Rosetta Award for Best Take-Away Franchise in November 2015.  Current stores in the pipeline will bring the flagship brand to around 300 by year end with a forecast 320 stores at end of February 2016.  The Gold Brands Investments portfolio also includes One plus One Pizza, Chicken Wild Wings, Pitaland and the original Blacksteer, the well-known and loved original steakhouse brand. ...