Shisa nyama is at the heart of South Africans, we all come together to enjoy a nicely braaied meat and some drinks on our favourite spots. This article will look at how to start a shisa nyama business in South Africa.
Starting a successful shisa nyama business is not easy but has been proven possible by a lot of entrepreneurs in our townships. You will find a popular chisa nyama spot in every kasi that you go to. Let’s first look at what you will need to start your business.
What does a shisa nyama sell?
To find out what you will need we must first find out what you are planning to sell on your shisa nyama business. In South Africa, you can sell beef, wors, chicken, alcohol and a few salads. What you sell will depend on your target market, a shisa nyama in the suburban areas tends to be a little different to one at our townships. As an entrepreneur you should first draft down a list of everything you will sell. Doing this will make it easier for you to know which equipment to buy.
What do you need to run a successful shisa nyama?
1) Operating premises
You need an operating space to sell your shisa nyama and serve your customers. Unfortunately, this is one of the most difficult businesses to start from your house. People go to a shisa nyama spot to relax, socialise and for the atmosphere. You need an operating spot big enough to accommodate this. How much it costs will depend on your preferred location.
Your operating premises should have adequate facilities to make your customers enjoy your spot. You should have enough chairs for your customers to sit on, enough fires for them to braai at without waiting in line for a long time. You should also have an entertainment system in the form of music and television.
The entertainment system is for keeping them entertained, you should play trendy music and create a good atmosphere that they’ll want to be in. Play sports or popular programmes on your tv when it’s time to do that. Make sure that your customers will have enough shelter in the case of rain. Setting up operating premises can cost anywhere between R20 000 to R150 000 depending on what you want.
2) Shisa nyama equipment
A shisa nyama business does not require a lot of equipment, you need a few refrigerators to store your meat and drinks, entertainment systems, chairs and fire areas. On the fire areas; you can choose to use gas burners or traditional charcoal. You will also spend a little on chairs. We don’t assume that your shisa nyama will also be a slaughterhouse.
3) Employees
The last thing you need is people, you need maybe one to six employees when starting out. These employees will help with the day to day running of the business. You need a person that will clean and maintain the area, another that will focus on helping customers and another that will deal with sales and making sure there is enough of everything.
4) Marketing a shisa nyama business
I’m sure you have been to a few shisa nyama spots, did you go there because you saw them being advertised on tv, radio, newspaper or flyers? Or was it because you were referred to them by a friend or you were just passing by? I’m guessing it’s the latter. A shisa nyama business does not need to invest a lot on marketing as this happens almost naturally as long as it is an accessible location and it has a good atmosphere.
5) Legalities
Opening a shisa nyama does not require any special legalities unless you will be selling alcohol. If you are going to sell alcohol then you need to have a liquor license permitting you to do so. Otherwise, you only need to register your business at CIPC like other businesses.
Conclusion
Starting a shisa nyam business is one of the most fun adventures. This article has discussed on how to start a shisa nyama business. Do you have any thoughts or questions? Leave them in the comment section below.
Please follow us on Telegram https://t.me/mysouthafrica for more awesome content
Willy
1 Jun 2020Thank you very much with the information it was very helpful.
And I would like to know the salary scale of the employees
Olwethu
7 Jun 2020Very informative thanks Khanya!
AMAZE ER-MALIO STEPHANUS
16 Jun 2020Thank you very much. The article was very informative
sibabalwe
16 Jun 2020I’m glad you found it helpful, Thank you 🙂
Tebogo
23 Jun 2020The article was very attractive
Ntombie
28 May 2023Thank tlu soo much for rjis info its veru helpful. Now tell me where can you get financial assitance to kickstart this shisanyama business?
Mbali
3 Jul 2020Wow thanks guys this information was very helpful to me as im busy trying to start the very same business you spoke about (shisanyama)thanks a lot.
Mickey
22 Jan 2021Hey mbali am also planning to have one we can share ideas 0635532692 if u don’t mind
Mctga
28 Jan 2021Mickey am also abt to start a chisanyama, soon coz already am running a carwash and a kota business. We can share ideas too
0720686607
Angel
7 Feb 2021Hi Mctga t can u tell me how and with what did u start ur carwash plz. I want to start with it bt need more info,would u mind?
Keri
15 Aug 2021Hello there… I’m also looking at starting a carwash in my area. Kindly assist me with how started please +27633547689. Thanks
Benny
1 May 2021Hey Mbaliiey can I have your tens and please give some ideas on apo
Maxwell
6 Jul 2020How much does a starting a Shisanyama needs n how much does a license cost
Cosatu
25 Jul 2020Wow? thanks for the powerful mentor article you have unlock my mind.
Question:
How do we design a Shisa Nyama daily operational system for your staff?
Tshotyi
29 Jul 2020Informative article indeed..very easy to read and understand.Thank you
Mahlatse
15 Aug 2020How do we design a shisa nyama and I have 7000 do you I can start it
sibabalwe
15 Aug 2020You can start it, but you would have to sacrifice on a lot of things that contribute to the overall customer experience.
PuddingPott
22 Dec 2020Please contact me here 0796033378 whatsaap
Eddie Thabethe
6 Jul 2021Most definitely you can start with such a figure. I personally think it’s great to start small which allows you to see you business grow
Bakang
23 Aug 2020Thank you so much i found it very useful
Solly Nthupi
3 Oct 2020I really appreciate all your in getting inside information about shisa nyama
And I would like to know the salary scale of the employees
Mctga
28 Jan 2021I would also like to know that too
Dieketseng Khoase
16 Oct 2020The article was very helpful. I’d like to find out if the process of getting a liquor license.
Siphokazi
20 Oct 2020This was really helpful, thank you. How will I be able to determine the salary of the employees? And also how can I get a liquor license? How much does it cost to start a Shisa Nyama?
Tshepi
20 Oct 2020Thank you so much very informative
Micdlamini
30 Dec 2020It was simple and A-way. Thanx, I hope it will make and bring difference in most lives.
zamaswazi
9 Jan 2021Thank you
what is the employee salary scale?
sibabalwe
20 Jan 2021R1 500 – R6 500 in most cases. It also depends on how often you need them and what they do, the average is usually around R4 500.
Mctha
28 Jan 2021I would also like to know that
0720686607
Sithembile
12 Jan 2021Thank you, very informative. So as soon as I register my Shisanyama business, it can operate?
sibabalwe
20 Jan 2021Yes, you will be able to operate as soon as you have all the necessary paperwork.
Mctha
28 Jan 2021Very informative thanks a lot
lusanda ngqonga
14 Feb 2021Woww it opens my brain,my eyes now i think m ready to start my own shisanyama hear in delft
Mxolisi Mnandi
8 May 2021Hi Lusanda, I’m also interested to start this business, since you are in delft maybe we can work together because I’m in kuilsriver, we can share contacts.
Lulu
20 Feb 2021Where do I register my Shisanyama business
sibabalwe
21 Feb 2021You can register your business at the CIPC, go to Google and type “How to register my business” and click on the first link ( not advert) and follow the instructions. You can also register through FNB, FNB will automatically open a business account for you when you register via them.
Slie
4 Mar 2021I’m planning to start my Shisa nyama and car wash pliz help me with the idea’s
My whatsup number 0713465195
Stanley
18 Mar 2021I need more information on this venture please, my number is 0745021922. I want to start with this business
Lizzy
9 Apr 2021I need help too with starting the shisa nyama business and a car wash…..my number 0762863147 anyone willing to help
Lydia ribane
20 Aug 2021Hi lm planning to open chesanyama my cell n 0769795318 pls advise me pls
Mshini Mabi
18 Apr 2021This article was simple and factual… I have already registered, now I need to get the equipment and start
sibabalwe
18 Apr 2021I am glad it helped, I wish you all the best 🙂
Banda
24 Apr 2021Thank you I need to start a business in Coligny.
Mxolisi Mnandi
8 May 2021Hi Lusanda, I’m also interested to start this business, since you are in delft maybe we can work together because I’m in kuilsriver, we can share contacts.
Phindile Prudence Sokhela
12 May 2021It will be very easy if we can create whatsapp group and share ideas there
0724995412
Makoma Gloria
16 Jun 2021Pls guys add me on WhatsApp group because am very interested on business
Sanele
23 May 2021I HAVE MANAGE TO BUY DISPLAY FRIDGE FOR SHISANYAMA AND DI FREEZER.. THANK YOU
sibabalwe
24 May 2021Glad I could help, good luck on your journey 🙂
Kwanele
18 Jun 2022Hi m also willing to start a business of Shisanyama and car wash… I would be happy if sm1 can help me to start it
Nkanyiso
29 May 2021Wow wow wow wow??? short and simple
sibabalwe
29 May 2021Thank you so much Nkanyiso 🙂
Thuli
1 Jun 2021Iyhoo thank you very much the info was very useful I am already running chisanyama without alcohol but unfortunately bcoz of pandemic last year business dropped and now it’s not easy to take it back and I even tried putting beers but still not picking . What can I do . And is it a right place to run a chisanyama becouse I’m renting the house it’s not my place.
Akim
7 Jun 2021Thank you everymuch for the information. The quition is what needs to get liquor licence
Luyanda
9 Jun 2021Short and simple informative article.
Thank you so much.
Gloria
16 Jun 2021Hey guys am Gloria i need to start this shisanyama business what is the first step to follow ?
Makoma Gloria
16 Jun 2021I also need to start shisanyama business what is the first step to follow
Sibonelo
24 Jun 2021Thank you so much for such information
I’m also interested on starting a shisa nyama business, however I’m in need of tips, advises and guidelines since I’ll be starting this from scratch.
If any with full information of what need to be done or followed please advice my number
0671344668 for WhatsApp or 0661460571 for
calls based in Durban
Many thanks
Sibusiso Dube
1 Jul 2021Thank you so much, I about to start business of Chisa nyama. For now i just want to know the salary scale of employees.
Thank you so much with the information its very helpful.
Khanyi
5 Jul 2021I have a Shisa nyama already running I am struggling with getting employees and would like a salary scale of the employees and how they should be paid and I would also like to know do I need to register with SARS as I need to add alcohol since the summer is around the corner and how will I need for making all this happen. Thanks and I would like to be added to the WhatsApp group for sharing ideas around black young entrepreneurs.
Khanyi
5 Jul 2021My number 0799059976
Jabulile
10 Jul 2021Thanks for the information. It was clear and easy to understand. Any whatsaap group where we can share ideas?
sibabalwe
13 Jul 2021There is currently no WhatsApp group. I might open it, I’ll notify you if I do.
Zinhle Dube Precious
11 Jul 2021Thank you so much , I am working on starting my own shisa nyama
Shevano
21 Jul 2021If whatsapp group is created please add me 072 825 0203 … thank you
Sannie
20 Aug 2021Hi, nice article very interested, plz add e to the group if one is created….0734469204
Keletso
23 Sep 2021Thanks for the information, do i need investors for my shisa nyama business
sibabalwe
24 Sep 2021Depends on how much capital you have Keletso 🙂
Dumi
3 Oct 2021Thanks for sharing….please add me to the whatsapp group if its created 072 134 2584
peter
14 Oct 2021hi guys was the whatsapp group created or not i am looking for info about liquor license 0739612284 please
Siyabonga
19 Oct 2021Thanks for the information it was very helpfull and understandable , I’m planning to start a chisanyama next year January. Please add me if there’s a whats up group created
Gcobisa
3 Nov 2021Hello, thank you for the article it is clear and helpful. I’m also in a process to start car wash and shisa nyama, please add me to the WhatsApp group my number 0828668114
Zanele Ncube
8 Nov 2021Hi guys I’m also in the process of opening my own car wash and shisa nyama. Sharing advise in regards to liquor licence and more insight on the business would be highly appreciated. If there’s a WhatsApp group already created please may you kindly add me. 065 342 0892
sibabalwe
12 Nov 2021Hi Guys, I decided not to create a WhatsApp group but instead create a Telegram group as that would be convenient for everyone, here is the link https://t.me/shisanyama
Reggie
27 Feb 2022Hi mates, I want to start a car wash business with a chisanyama alongside. I saw a convenient apot but it’s a municipality area, more like abundant, do you guys think I should approach the municipality about the area?
Moleboheng Cofani
6 May 2022Hi guys
I want to open shisanyama in my area, so can you help me with a business plan. Thanks
Ntombie
10 May 2022Hello and thank you so much for this information. i am very interested in this business. My question is how do I get funding to kickstart my business? And please add me on the group. My number is 08******32