Steers Specials: A South African Burger Brand With a Long History

Quick answer: Steers is a South African quick-service burger brand owned by Famous Brands, with 735 outlets in mid-2025 across its markets (Famous Brands' latest results cite 714 restaurants across 12 markets). We could not verify a permanent national weekly special, so check the Steers app, website and your local restaurant for current offers.

Last updated: October 2026. Facts come from Wikipedia (Famous Brands), Daily Investor and BusinessTech reporting. Origin dates differ between sources, and we flag that below.

Steers: where it comes from

Sources disagree on the exact starting point. One says George Halamandaris started the Seven Steers steakhouse in Highlands North, Johannesburg, in 1960. Another says by 1961 he had opened a forerunner called the Golden Spur in Rosebank. A third says the first hamburger restaurant called Steers opened in 1970 in Jeppe. The name evolved from Golden Spur through Seven Steer, Branded Steer and Longhorn Steer before settling on Steers, and the franchise programme launched in 1983. Steers Holdings listed on the JSE in November 1994, and the group later changed its name to Famous Brands (sources give 2001 and 2004). If you would rather cook at home this week, compare the latest Checkers catalogue, Pick n Pay catalogue and Take n Pay catalogue to see current supermarket specials in South Africa.

Fact	Detail
Parent	Famous Brands (JSE: FBR)
Origin	1960s Johannesburg; exact year differs by source
Franchising began	1983
Listed	November 1994 (as Steers Holdings)
Outlets	735 (mid-2025 list); 714 across 12 markets in the latest results

Steers in the Famous Brands family

Brand	Outlets (mid-2025)
Debonairs Pizza	868
Steers	735
Wimpy	539
Mugg & Bean	322
Fishaways	242
Milky Lane	132

Famous Brands reported 2,979 restaurants in February 2025, of which 2,626 were in South Africa.

Where to find Steers deals

1. The Steers app and website for offers and vouchers.
2. The menu board and staff at your restaurant.
3. Delivery apps, comparing menu prices.
4. Famous Brands promotions across its brands.

Steers compared with other burger options

Option	Strength	Weakness
Steers	South African flame-grilled taste and a big network	Specials vary by outlet
McDonald's	App rewards, fast service	Fewer flame-grilled options
Burger King	Flame-grilled burgers	Smaller network
Home braai	Lowest cost per burger	Time and effort

Value tips

• Compare meal deals with buying items separately.
• Choose a family or sharing option for groups.
• Check what size chips and drinks are included.
• Ask about kids' meal toys or extras.

Cost comparison: a braai versus takeaway

Option	Cost idea per person	Notes
Takeaway burger meal	Meal price plus drink	Fast, no cleaning
Home burgers from supermarket patties	Pack price divided by patties plus rolls and toppings	Usually cheaper per burger, more work

Pros and cons

Pros

• Established South African brand.
• Large network.
• Family meal options.

Cons

• Some Famous Brands chains have closed outlets.
• Offers differ by franchisee.
• Delivery adds cost.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Steers?

Famous Brands.

When was Steers founded?

Sources place its origins in the 1960s and 1970; the exact year depends on the account.

How many Steers outlets are there?

735 in a mid-2025 list; 714 across 12 markets in the latest results.

Does Steers have a Wednesday special?

We could not verify one.

Why origin dates differ

Steers grew out of several early restaurant concepts, and the brand changed names more than once, so it is understandable that sources date its start to 1960, 1961 or 1970. For a shopper, the lesson is simple: when an article gives a precise founding year, check whether it refers to the first restaurant, the first hamburger restaurant under the Steers name, the start of franchising in 1983 or the stock-market listing in 1994.

How to read a Steers menu deal

1. Identify what the combo includes: burger, chips, drink and sauce.
2. Compare the combo price with the sum of items on the menu.
3. Check if the deal applies to specific burgers only.
4. Look for kids' meals if you are feeding children.
5. Ask whether the offer is available through delivery apps.

Franchisees set many local prices, so the same combo can cost slightly different amounts in different towns.

Checklist before you order

• Check the app for vouchers.
• Compare collection with delivery totals.
• Confirm trading hours at your branch.
• Keep your slip for any queries.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Steers (restaurant); Famous Brands
• Daily Investor: the South African company that owns Steers, Debonairs and Wimpy
• BusinessTech: Famous Brands outlet coverage