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FBR - Famous Brands Limited - Famous Brands` festive season cheer with

Release Date: 30/11/2010 07:30
Code(s): FBR
Wrap Text

FBR - Famous Brands Limited - Famous Brands` festive season cheer with acquisition of O`Hagan`s Irish Pub and Grill Famous Brands Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) Registration number: 1969/004875/06 Share Code: FBR ISIN: ZAE000053328 ("Famous Brands") FAMOUS BRANDS` FESTIVE SEASON CHEER WITH ACQUISITION OF O`HAGAN`S IRISH PUB AND GRILL Famous Brands has acquired the franchise agreements, trademarks and intellectual property of the O`Hagan`s Irish Pub and Grill brand from O`Hagan`s Franchising (Pty) Ltd for an undisclosed sum. The purchase consideration is less than 0,5% of Famous Brands` market capitalisation. The acquisition will be funded through existing cash reserves, and will be earnings enhancing. Assuming successful conclusion of the due diligence exercise, the effective date of the transaction is 01 December 2010. Currently the O`Hagan`s franchised network consists of 26 outlets, 22 in South Africa, one in Botswana, one in Zambia and two in Zimbabwe. Famous Brands CEO, Kevin Hedderwick says, "Having recently entered the Pub and Restaurant category via our acquisition of the KEG and McGinty`s brands, the acquisition of O`Hagan`s provides us with an opportunity to literally double the size of our existing network in this industry, at a compelling price." "To open another 26 franchised pubs would conservatively take the Group about five years, whereas with this prudent investment that is immediately achieved." He notes, "This transaction aligns itself with our recently expanded leisure landscape but also cements our deliberate strategy to play a leading role within those categories in which we compete. This acquisition demonstrates our intent to be a serious player in the Pub and Restaurant market." Hedderwick elaborates on the rationale for the acquisition, "We have already put in place a Pub and Restaurant Division specifically designed to expand its capacity as opportunities arise, so the cost of take-on of this additional business to the division is minimal. Given existing surplus capacity, we will increase our Pub and Restaurant division`s turnover by 50%, but nearly double the operating profit."* Also key to this acquisition are the synergies and benefits to be extracted from integrating O`Hagan`s into the Group`s comprehensive business model. The business of O`Hagan`s Franchising was acquired in 1999 by entrepreneur John Weir-Smith. Weir-Smith says, "Famous Brands is in a position to take the O`Hagan`s brand to the next level. They will rejuvenate these businesses and give them the ability to grow and improve their profitability." Hedderwick comments, "Our acquisition of the O`Hagan`s brand further endorses our confidence in the Pub and Restaurant category`s potential and our ability to shape the future of this business in South Africa. The Group will be launching a new brand identity and positioning for KEG and McGinty`s in March 2011. Similarly, the positioning of the O`Hagan`s brand will be robustly unpacked and interrogated early in the new year. We are not only confident that this acquisition will have an important benefit on revenue for Famous Brands, but is also part of our longer term ambition for the category per se, which plans will be announced in due course," he says. Hedderwick concludes, "Our strong balance sheet, proven brand stewardship model and depth of management expertise augurs well for the rapid integration of O`Hagan`s into the Famous Brands business." *The forecast information contained in the announcement has not been reviewed or reported on by Famous Brands` auditors. Notes to editors: The Group`s brand portfolio includes Steers (524), Wimpy including UK (642), Debonairs Pizza (315), FishAways (112), Mugg & Bean (108), tashas (5), House of Coffees (19), Brazilian/Brazilian Cafe (48), Blacksteer (12), Giramundo (4), KEG (27), McGinty`s (5) and Vovo Telo (3). The Group also manufactures and supplies its franchisees and the retail trade with a wide range of meat, sauce, bakery, ice cream, fruit juice and mineral water products. For further information: Kevin Hedderwick Del-Maree English Chief Executive Officer Investor Communications Famous Brands Mobile: 083 395 8608 Telephone: 011 651 5812 Famous Brands` website: www.famousbrands.co.za Midrand 30 November 2010 Sponsor Standard Bank Date: 30/11/2010 07:30:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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