How much money do South Africans spend on take-out?
How much does the average South African spend on eating take-out every month? We asked a few of our presenters about their take-out habits.
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. A study conducted by Lightstone Explore 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.
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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.
Some of our presenters are also guilty of indulging now and then...
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 - "I work to a strict budget. I build 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 McDonald's 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 takeaway all the time - eating on the run as one would say. I could easily say that I spend a small fortune on takeaway every month. It's in the thousands. I buy anything that's edible which doesn't contain listeriosis or has anything to do with my mum's cooking. Mostly Nandos chicken burgers and wedges.
How much do you spend on takeaways every month?