FAMOUS BRANDS LIMITED - Famous Brands concludes a partnership with award winning commercial caterer - By Word of Mouth

Famous Brands concludes a partnership with award winning commercial caterer - By Word of Mouth

Famous Brands Limited
(Registration number 1969/004875/06)
JSE share code: FBR
ISIN: ZAE000053328
(“Famous Brands” or “Group”)


ANNOUNCEMENT


FAMOUS BRANDS MAKES FIRST FORAY INTO FOOD SERVICE LEISURE SECTOR
CONCLUDES PARTNERSHIP WITH AWARD WINNING COMMERCIAL CATERER - BY
WORD OF MOUTH


Famous Brands has acquired a 49.9% stake in the multi-awarded commercial catering
company, By Word of Mouth (Pty) Ltd, advancing the Group’s strategy outlined in 2014 to
expand the business into the broader leisure and consumer product space.

The purchase consideration falls below the threshold of a categorised transaction in terms of the
Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited. The transaction is subject to Competition
Commission approval, whereafter all suspensive conditions will have been fulfilled.

Kevin Hedderwick, Famous Brands’ Strategic Advisor with responsibility for M&A activity, says,
“Having explored an extensive range of investment opportunities in the food service leisure and
hospitality sector, we are delighted to announce our partnership with the owners of By Word of
Mouth, Karen and Adrian Short. This highly acclaimed business has impeccable credentials
and meets our best-in-class criteria.”

“Whilst this is Famous Brands’ first foray into this category, we are confident that our core
competencies will ensure that we create opportunities to elevate this brilliant business to even
greater heights,” he adds.

Hedderwick notes, “This transaction is the culmination of two years of intensive discussions and
a process of gaining an understanding of and mutual respect for each other’s businesses. The
Shorts are passionate about their company and determined to ensure that our partnership will
be in the best long-term interests of By Word of Mouth; they will continue to manage the
business, supported by Famous Brands.”

By Word of Mouth was established in 1993 by Karen Short who identified a growing demand for
high quality catering and professionally managed events. Karen’s husband, Adrian Short,
joined the business in 2003. Over the past 23 years the company has built a reputation for
excellence in the industry, having won numerous local and international awards. By Word of
Mouth offers a portfolio of services ranging from development of unique designer food and
beverage menus to comprehensive event management, including conceptualisation, equipment
and décor hire, floral design, and staffing requirements.

The company is based in Gauteng, in Linbro Park, and also manages a 400-seater venue, The
Polo Room, at the Inanda Polo Club. The business employs a staff complement of over 200.

Founder, Karen Short, comments, “From the outset, By Word of Mouth has strived to be the
leader in producing world class cutting-edge events which are recognised for their beautifully
presented food that tastes sensational, served by knowledgeable well-dressed staff in a
fabulous setting. Professionalism is our watchword in ensuring we deliver flawless, memorable
events for our clients.

Our partnership with Famous Brands is a great fit for numerous reasons: quality and attention
to detail are paramount to both of our companies; we have a shared understanding of
entrepreneurial, family businesses; and we are confident that Famous Brands will provide the
support that we need to take our business to the next level, including establishing an offering for
our clients across the country.”

“Importantly,” she notes, “we are pleased that as founders of the business we remain the
majority shareholders and can continue to personally deliver our high-end, boutique service,
and drive our ambition to remain a dominant force in the industry.”

Hedderwick elaborates, “In the short term we will integrate By Word of Mouth’s business into
Famous Brands’ infrastructure where synergies permit and leverage their existing state-of-the-
art kitchen facilities at Linbro Park.”

Over the medium term, the intention is to expand the business’s existing presence in the
premium corporate market, a fast-growing segment of the commercial catering category. Over
the longer term, the goal is also to establish a footprint for By Word of Mouth in Cape Town and
Durban.

Hedderwick notes, “A key aspect of this partnership is the opportunity to enter the home meal
replacement retail space, through high-end stand-alone stores offering bespoke products
created by Karen Short. This retail business model will resemble the hugely successful “COOK”
company in the UK, which produces ready-made meals using ingredients and techniques that ‘a
good cook would use at home to ensure meals look and taste homemade’*. I am particularly
excited about the growth prospects of this component of the business because there is a strong
and growing demand for an offering of this kind in the economically resilient upper-end of the
South African market.”

Hedderwick concludes, “Our partnership with By Word of Mouth is a significant achievement in
terms of advancing the Group’s strategic growth agenda: it boosts our portfolio of premium
brands and extends the Group’s presence into new categories.”
     
*   Source: http://www.cookfood.net/info/About-cook/



Midrand
3 October 2016

Sponsor
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited

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