My wife and I have always liked the idea of a ‘second half’ [of life]… We had our kids young… They’re completely off the payroll!
— Doug Smart, KFC Africa
South Africa is a very unusual market, because of its dominance… The affection for the brand is remarkable… 2.2 million chickens per week… the numbers in this business completely blow my mind!
— Doug Smart, KFC Africa
There are just under 900 KFC outlets in South Africa.
The company utterly dominates fast food in the country.
KFC first entered South Africa in 1971.
All of the chicken sold is reared right here.
At the age of 52; KFC MD Doug Smart is retiring, and looking forward to a more “purposeful” second life.
The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield interviewed him for his weekly “ShapeShifter” feature.
Listen to the interview in the audio below (and/or scroll down for more quotes from it).
I was born in Cape Town, raised in Joburg… Then I left at the age of 22… It [late 80s] was a tumultuous time in South Africa… I spent 24 years out of the country… The job [when asked what brought him back to SA].
— Doug Smart, KFC Africa
The cost of doing business [in the rest of Africa] slows us down…
— Doug Smart, KFC Africa
There’s something about being first…
— Doug Smart, KFC Africa
I’m deadly afraid of losing the intellectual cut and thrust of business…
— Doug Smart, KFC Africa
The big goal is to give back, to pay it forward, to contribute… using my skills… I would love to teach, to help… I love doing work that feels like its making a difference.
— Doug Smart, KFC Africa
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