FBR - Famous Brands Limited - Voluntary sales update

FBR - Famous Brands Limited - Voluntary sales update                            
FAMOUS BRANDS LIMITED                                                           
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number 1969/004875/06)                                            
Share code: FBR  ISIN code: ZAE000053328                                        
("Famous Brands")                                                               
VOLUNTARY SALES UPDATE                                                          
FAMOUS BRANDS ENJOYS ROBUST HOLIDAY TRADING                                     
Johannesburg, 24 January 2011:  Famous Brands has reported strong sales over    
the December holiday season, countering concerns that performance would be      
restrained following on from exceptional turnovers achieved during the World    
Cup period.  System wide retail sales (including new restaurants) increased     
13.3% on the prior comparative period, while like-on-like sales grew 7.8%       
across the franchise network.                                                   
Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Hedderwick says, "There was some apprehension    
that December turnovers would be soft post the strong consumer spend            
experienced during the World Cup.  However, I am pleased to report that we      
surpassed our expectations to deliver an overall excellent performance.         
Without exception, each of the Group`s brands improved like-on-like sales."     
20 restaurants were opened during December and the Group remains on track to    
meet its target of opening 110 new restaurants in the current fiscal year,      
bringing the total franchise network to 1 883.                                  
Hedderwick notes that these results are a reflection of the Group`s portfolio   
of well established brands which enjoy strong consumer equity and a function    
of their presence in key strategic sites in shopping malls, airports, coastal   
resorts and on transient routes nationwide.                                     
"In this regard, Wimpy and Mugg & Bean did particularly well," says             
Hedderwick.  "In addition, Debonairs Pizza continues to benefit from the        
remarkable growth in per capita pizza consumption amongst the emerged market.   
In fact, this trend is now even beginning to spread to previously un-serviced   
rural areas.  Our Debonairs Pizza Express stores which target emerging market   
consumers were 49% ahead of budget for the month."                              
"The robust performance delivered by the Group`s mainstream brands was          
complemented by very pleasing turnovers achieved by our recently acquired       
brands.  tashas` new Gateway restaurant traded exceptionally vigorously,        
thereby securing a strong base for the brand in KwaZulu Natal.                  
Notwithstanding aggressive anti-drink/driving campaigns, the Group`s pub        
brands, KEG, McGinty`s and O`Hagan`s did very well, while Vovo Telo, our        
niche artisan bakery business produced satisfying results.  Famous Brands`      
chicken offering, Giramundo, is situated in low profile sites which didn`t      
benefit from December holiday trade but still performed in line with            
management`s expectations," says Hedderwick.                                    
The financial figures above have not been reviewed and reported on by the       
Group`s external auditors.                                                      
ends                                                                            
Notes to editors:   The Group`s brand portfolio includes Steers (527), Wimpy    
including UK (644), Debonairs Pizza (327), FishAways (114), Mugg & Bean         
(113), tashas (7), House of Coffees (21), Brazilian/Brazilian Cafe (52),        
Blacksteer (11), Giramundo (4), KEG (28), McGinty`s (5), Vovo Telo (3) and      
O`Hagan`s (22).  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 Limited         Mobile:  083 395 8608                             
Telephone:  011 651 5812                                                        
Famous Brands` website: www.famousbrands.co.za                                  
Date: 24/01/2011 07:17:11 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
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