Gone are the days when takeaways used to be a treat or something you would only buy on payday.
With life being so busy, many people are finding it harder to make time for things like cooking and doing other household chores. The fact that food franchises are strategically located next to residential homes makes opting for take-out much easier.
The fact that food franchises are strategically located next to residential homes makes opting for take-out much easier. A study conducted by Lightstone Explore Linda Reid states that 90% of South African residents live within 5 km of at least one fast food outlet, and almost half of them have a fast food restaurant within 1 km of their homes. The report also states that households in the highest income brackets are likely to spend between R1,400 and R1,500 per month on takeaways, while those in lower income brackets would spend around R10-R70 per month.
Most of these stores even sell staples such as rice, pap, and pasta. So consumers are spoiled for choice and can buy a meal that they would normally cook at home.
Just three years ago, Statistics South Africa reported that the country’s income from the takeaway and fast food sector was R170 billion. Insight Survey reported that the fast-food industry alone is worth R300 billion every year. Since 2009, there has been an 80% increase in adults buying fast-foods at least once a month according to Franchise Direct‘s report. The company estimates that the number of consumers buying fast foods will increase to 42 million during 2017 to 2018.
We asked some of SA’s top radio personalities to share how much they spend on takeaways.
Neil Green – “I spend about R500 to R700 a month on fast food, which doesn’t sound like a lot but a gram dhall roti from Midway is R12 so it’s a lot actually. It’s almost always some version of curry or tikka. Now and again maybe Chinese or the odd burger. Do baked goods count? Because I buy baked goods pretty much every day. That’s why I look as round as I do.”
Mags from East Coast Radio – “I work to a strict budget. I billed it into my monthly budget and allocate a Friday and a Sunday to takeaway and fast food. I spend between R2 000 – R2 500 a month. But hey, aren’t we living in the takeout eat out generation? A beautiful pizza is my go-to. I’m also a burger freak and love a good Steers and a McDonalds burger. Every now and then I love a big, fat bag of slap chips with vinegar and tomato sauce. Samoosas and Lucozade are also something I love but they have to go hand-in-hand (I’ve been known to eat 6 samosas at once with a whole bottle of Lucozade). Lastly, I can’t leave out my favourite Nandos pineapple chicken burger. I’m salivating thinking about it all!”
Danny Guselli – “I have become the most undisciplined person over the last 9 months with regards to eating. I hardly cook anymore. It’s just take away take. Eating on the run as one would say. So I could easily say I spend a small fortune on take-away every month. It’s in the thousands. I buy anything that’s edible that doesn’t have listeriosis or has anything to do with my mums cooking. Mostly Nandos chicken burgers and wedges.
Kriya Gangiah says she spends a lot on takeaways. “On average R350 a week but I try to be healthy, so it’s salads and wraps.”
Mack Rapapali, who helms the ‘Workzone with Mack Rapapali’ on Jacaranda FM says he only spent R500 and only goes out once or sometimes maybe twice a week.
Barney Simon on the other hand only eats takeaways once a week on takeaway night and spends about R1,000 a month.
How much do you spend on takeaways every month? Share your comments below: