A Spur Story Worth Telling - It’s novel!

But let’s start at the very beginning. A young Allen Ambor decided to create a restaurant in keeping with the South African spirit that places high value on family and generosity. The Golden Spur Steak Ranch started in Newlands, Cape Town in 1967, charging just 40 cents for a burger! Today, Spur burgers and the signature Spur Spare Ribs in that oh-so-delicious secret sauce, have become a family institution that South Africans are still phoning home about – only these days often from other parts of the world. In fact, many who visit South Africa rush off to the Spur as soon as they land here.

The Spur Group now boasts 207 local and 24 stores abroad, and it’s growing. Tholani Mlambo felt a stab of homesickness as he drove past the Apache Spur Steak and Grill in Basingstoke, South England. A sight that made him reach for his cell phone.

Similar stories are what make Spur the South African institution it has become. Many couples held hands for the first time over their Spur dessert. Working people laugh about how as teenagers they drank so much Spur bottomless coffee that they couldn’t sleep for days afterwards. Children tell their moms tales about the other kids they have played with in the Play Canyons.

The story of a successful restaurant, however, would come to nothing if the restaurant doesn’t navigate the changing needs of the new generations. Spur’s values of home-from-home generosity and top quality food haven’t changed, but the Spur menu has had to expand to cater for a new health-conscious generation used to a wide range of choices. In order to meet this need, Spur has linked hands with the Heart Foundation. The menu now boasts “Heart Smart” food, which is signalled by a red heart mark on the famous Spur menu boards. Spur’s delicious flame-grilled steaks, kebabs and chicken breasts have always been healthy and now, not only add mouth-watering flavour, but also provide even healthier alternatives. Choice is where it’s at, and customers now have the luxury of swapping out any high-kilojoule food for lower-kilojoule alternatives. Delicious salads, hot vegetables and baked potatoes can replace chips and onion rings, providing all the options customers want.

“We are proud to be part of the fabric of the new South Africa and we intend to continue to be part of its progress. That’s why we always try to nurture the next generations,” says Ambor, Executive Chairman of the Spur Group, which comprises Spur Steak Ranches, Panarotti’s Pizza Pasta, John Dory’s Fish & Grill, Kelseys and Yizani.

The Spur brand started as an integral part of South Africa. For this reason it comes as no surprise that it is part of “Proudly South African.” This exciting campaign promotes South African companies, products and services, which help to create jobs and economic growth in this country. Spur has this stamp of approval on its menus, for the high standards of quality, social responsibility and local economy support which “Proudly South African” requires.

In the closing chapters of this story, Spur has made it clear where their priorities lie. Nurturing the next generation is something the Spur Group takes seriously. Not only are children important guests within the restaurant – with the likes of The Spur Secret Tribe, birthday and Play Canyon surprises – but they are also a priority outside the restaurant walls. On soccer fields all over South Africa, children are inspired to reach their full potential as Spur Steak Ranches host a programme of life-skills and coaching led by their favourite soccer celebrities. This event, called Spur Soccer Masidlale (Let’s Play), is an initiative that has influenced the life stories of many young South Africans over the last two years.

The story lives on. Spur is expanding and evolving to the challenges of new generations and creating an environment where the heart of “family” lives. So wherever you are and wherever you are going, get a taste of Spur, the successful recipe of South African homegrown family fun.