Launching a shisanyama business remains a popular venture for South African entrepreneurs, and for good reason. With the right location and concept, like Centurion Shisanyama, a humble “buy and braai” can grow into a genuinely lucrative enterprise.
This guide covers what you need to know about planning and launching a shisanyama business.
Shisanyama industry overview
Among township business ideas, shisanyama remains one of the most popular options. Shisanyama places form the heart of many townships, the gathering point where locals braai meat and socialise. Start a strong shisanyama in a busy area, like Centurion Shisanyama, and you tap into a genuinely large, consistent market.
Shisanyama industry trends
A shisanyama business is unique to South Africa, and it is far more than a food service category, it is a cultural experience. That has made shisanyama places increasingly popular tourist destinations, drawing visitors from well beyond the surrounding township.
Given this rising popularity, many shisanyama businesses are spreading outside of townships entirely. Centurion Shisanyama, a genuine hotspot on the outskirts of Pretoria, is a strong example. With shisanyama franchises available and growing demand for distinctive food experiences, the industry continues to open new opportunities.
Success stories
Shisanyama is a simple concept with humble beginnings: buy meat from a township butchery, braai it outside, and socialise in an informal setting.
That simplicity has produced some genuinely successful businesses. Centurion Shisanyama is a strong example, a lively shisanyama joint in a busy part of Gauteng that kept the core concept while attracting large crowds of tourists and locals looking for a more upmarket experience. It has helped shift perceptions of shisanyama from a small township braai into a major outdoor restaurant and tourist attraction.
Mzoli’s in Cape Town is another well-known shisanyama success story, drawing large crowds of tourists and locals year after year.
Shisanyama industry challenges
Finding the right location is everything for a good shisanyama business, genuinely difficult in townships where infrastructure is limited. Like any informal township business, owners can also struggle to access seed capital or offer collateral for funding.
Since most shisanyama places start in township residential areas, accessing bulk orders and food delivery services can be tricky. Small shisanyama businesses also compete directly with large fast-food chains.
Shisanyama opportunities available
With the right busy location, real shisanyama business opportunities exist. Most start independently, though shisanyama franchise opportunities exist too.
TREP funding opportunities are available to help develop and launch shisanyama businesses specifically.
Shisanyama laws and regulations
Starting a food service business requires the right licences and permits. Any shisanyama business needs a business licence and a certificate of acceptability to prepare and serve food, and a liquor licence if you plan to serve alcohol.
Contact your local municipality to understand the specific laws and regulations that apply to launching a shisanyama business in your chosen area.
Getting started
Starting a shisanyama business is relatively low-barrier compared to a traditional restaurant.
Shisanyama setup costs
Setup costs vary considerably depending on location, scale, and how upmarket you want the business to feel. An operation like Centurion Shisanyama costs significantly more than a small-scale township enterprise.
Setup costs to budget for include your location, braai and cooking facilities, tables and chairs, fridges, signage, electronics (speakers, till, computer), and initial stock.
Starting a shisanyama franchise, like ChesaNyama, can cost in the region of R20,000 per square metre, excluding VAT, confirm current pricing directly with the franchisor before budgeting.
Must-have tech tools
Running a shisanyama business takes more than a braai. A point of sale system, whether as a mobile app or dedicated hardware, is close to essential now. You will also need a laptop to manage the business, along with accounting software and an inventory management system.
Whether it is a food truck or a big outdoor shisanyama, informal food service businesses offer real opportunity for entrepreneurs. Find the right location, follow the necessary laws and regulations, and plan the business properly, and it can become a genuinely profitable venture.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a shisanyama business?
Costs vary widely by scale and location. A small independent operation costs considerably less than an upmarket destination like Centurion Shisanyama, while a franchise like ChesaNyama runs around R20,000 per square metre excluding VAT.
Do I need a liquor licence to run a shisanyama business?
Only if you plan to serve alcohol. A business licence and certificate of acceptability are required regardless, to legally prepare and serve food.
What makes shisanyama different from a typical restaurant?
It is built around a simple, communal “buy and braai” culture rather than formal restaurant service, which is exactly what has made it a genuine cultural and tourist draw beyond its township origins.
What is the biggest challenge in starting a shisanyama business?
Finding the right location, particularly in townships where infrastructure and access to bulk supply or delivery services can be limited.
Are there franchise opportunities in the shisanyama space?
Yes, brands like ChesaNyama offer a franchise route alongside the more common path of starting independently.
Firing up your business
Nail your location, secure the right licences, and budget realistically for setup costs, whether you are starting small in a township or aiming for an upmarket destination model. Done right, a shisanyama business can become a genuinely significant local, and even touristic, success story.
Originally published in March 2022. Updated September 2026 to reflect current shisanyama setup costs, franchise pricing and licensing requirements. Costs and franchise terms shift, so confirm current figures directly with the specific franchisor or municipality before you commit.
