Zimbabwe’s largest quick service restaurant operator, Simbisa Brands Limited, is intensifying its regional expansion drive with 17 new outlets scheduled for opening in the final quarter of the 2026 financial year, signalling sustained confidence in consumer demand across its markets.
The new outlets form part of a broader rollout expected to deliver 36 net new stores for the year ending June 30, 2026, as the group strengthens its physical presence while scaling digital and delivery operations.
In a trading update for the third quarter ended March 31, 2026, management said the company continued to record strong growth despite a tightening cost environment, noting that “consumer demand remained resilient during the quarter, supported by currency stability and favourable market conditions.”
Group revenue rose 23 percent year-on-year to US$85.3 million, underpinned by increased customer traffic and higher spending levels. Customer volumes grew 14 percent to 16.3 million transactions, while average customer spend increased eight percent to US$5.23.
The company attributed performance gains to focused promotional activity and operational improvements, stating that growth was driven by “targeted promotional activities and significant improvements in the delivery channel,” particularly in Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Zimbabwe remained the group’s strongest market, recording a 26 percent revenue increase to US$61.9 million. Delivery services emerged as a major growth driver locally, with volumes surging 83 percent during the period as customers increasingly embraced convenience-based ordering.
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Kenya also delivered solid results, with revenue climbing 15 percent to US$21.6 million after customer numbers rose 21 percent — performance the company said validated its “value-focused pricing strategy” in competitive regional markets.
Over the past 12 months, Simbisa expanded its network by a net 29 trading counters, bringing the total footprint to 751 outlets across its operating territories.
Looking ahead, management indicated that protecting profitability remains a key priority as operating pressures intensify.
“The Group’s primary focus is on defending profit margins against prevailing macroeconomic cost pressures,” the company said, highlighting rising fuel prices, supplier cost adjustments linked to inflation, and broader input cost increases as major risks.
To mitigate these challenges, Simbisa is strengthening supply chain efficiencies, tightening cost controls and accelerating energy initiatives. Management said a “strategic, no-capex solarisation programme” is being rolled out to reduce electricity costs and improve energy security, particularly in Zimbabwe where stable power supply remains critical to operations.
Digitisation is also expected to play a central role in sustaining growth, with the company noting plans to leverage technology to improve efficiency and customer experience while supporting revenue expansion through product innovation and marketing.
Simbisa shares were trading at 58.87 US cents as of May 18, 2026, while indicative share trading liquidity reached approximately US$10.2 million over the past 12 months, averaging about US$850 300 per month.
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