All over the world pubs are filled with lively conversation, relaxation and amusement and have become renowned for their source of entertainment and enjoyment - both for the customers who frequent them and the owners who are involved, creating a lively and lucrative business. The originators and the largest pub and restaurant franchise in South Africa, KEG Pub and Restaurants, have been instrumental in establishing this pub culture locally. KEG has also been described as an authentic South African success story and a trend, which is set to continue.

After a decade of trading as an upmarket traditional English pub, KEG is once again setting the trends. In line with the needs of the broader market, KEG has upgraded its image to reflect a more modern and contemporary look and feel, while retaining the core values and heritage that has made the brand a household name. The move away from the traditional English pub has allowed the brand to be more flexible in its food and beverage offering and has added a new dimension of energy and excitement, which is concentrated on in-store promotions and entertainment, to over 29 South African and 3 international outlets.

Always innovative, always inspired, the KEG offers traditional pub food at hearty prices. The KEG menu stands testimony to the diversity of pub fare on offer and includes favourites like its homemade pies, pub platter, munchies, and club sandwiches. It wouldn't be a pub without bangers and mash or fish and chips, so naturally these are included on the traditional pub menu.


More is on offer on the unique and ever popular Publican's Choice chalkboards, which can be found in every KEG. The Publican's Choice allows the franchise owner to experiment with new dishes, which keeps the guests entertained and interested. This provides the franchisee an opportunity to express their creativity, and also gives the guest a larger choice from a variety of tempting dishes. In addition, it allows each store's individuality and identity to come forth, while ensuring that the KEG's high quality and good value that customers have become accustomed too, remains intact.

The KEG is the perfect hub for business people to meet and relax in an environment that is both warm and friendly. It is also ideal for young adults and families that enjoy living the KEG way of life. The KEG pub and restaurant sustains popularity and active participation by introducing new and exciting promotions on a regular basis. Among the top favourite annual promotions are the Cocktail Cruise and Around the World challenge. These challenges present patrons with a passport to drink a variety of local and imported beverages, with the honour of having their name immortalised on a brass nameplate permanently placed above the bulkheads of the bar, on completion of the challenge.

KEG has successfully bridged the gap between restaurants and pubs and attributes its achievement to a strong focus on marketing, branding and the provision of ongoing training, support and hands-on commitment from the franchisor. A complete support package and backup with the word's most effective operations, financial and marketing programmes are on tap for all franchisees. Fully trained and experienced operation managers are directly involved to assist franchisees in maximising their operating profits and ultimately the return on their investment.

As the location of the site is essential to the success of the store, the franchisor assists with site development, but no comprises are made so as to fulfil the need for an outlet in an approved area. Assistance is given in negotiating the lease and prior to approval, all leases are screened by the franchisor. Determining store layout out and décor design is the sole responsibility of the franchisor and they are solely responsible for the appointment of contractors and supplies for the store development as well as the project management.

In addition, the franchisor provides guidance with the selection of employees, assists in the opening and initial running of the business, quality control checks and providing constant support of the duration of the contract. Furthermore, regular regional franchise meetings are held and the franchisor provides continuous upgrading of menus, recipes, products and various other items. Via financial data received from franchisees, a detailed 'Best operating practise programme' is compiled. This programme is used to assist franchisees in maximising their operating profits and ultimately, the return on their investment.


KEG has a dedicated marketing team that regularly monitors industry trends and consistently strives to establish points of differentiation to keep the KEG brand ahead of its competitors. To aid in promoting new and current franchises, a national marketing fund is managed by a marketing manager, who is responsible for national and local marketing and advertising campaigns.

The franchisor values the opinions, feedback and ideas from all its KEG franchisees, managers and staff. Consequently, maximum allowance is made for open lines of communication to and from franchisees. Customer care is central to KEG's branding initiative, which is why the management team constantly survey the customer feedback questionnaires posted on the websites and regulate all calls received from its customer care line.

The set-up costs to start a KEG franchise are approximately R1.8 million, however, the new KEG franchisee invariably requires less capital that if they were to open an independent business. This is because of the assistance they receive from the holding company, King Consolidated Food Services (KingCo), when negotiating favourable leases, fair prices on equipment, fixtures, and fittings, and the good prices because of group bulk purchases. KingCo also operates a central distribution centre with storage and refrigeration facilities which ensure the group's product and price uniformity.

The KEG in South Africa has proved to be a phenomenal attraction and its success continues to grow as more franchisees seek to play a part in this unique way of life. A home-grown triumph and now also abroad, KEG is fast becoming an international player and winner for all its franchisees.

The KEG Pub and Restaurant offers patrons more than just good food, good beer and great cheer - it epitomises the KEG's slogan "It's a Way of Life" by providing brand excellence in every sense of the word. It is undoubtedly 100% KEG.