FAST-FOOD giant, Simbisa Brands Limited (Simbisa) has posted a 78,34% increase in profit after tax to US$15,84 million during its half-year period ended December 31, 2025, owing to cost containment and a 16,1% increase in revenue.
The increase in profit after tax is from a prior half-year comparative of US$8,88 million.
During the period under review, revenue was recorded at US$182,75 million from a prior half-year comparative of US$157,47 million.
“The group delivered 16% revenue growth in H1 FY2026 compared to the prior year, underpinned by a 10% increase in customer volumes and a 6% improvement in real average spend,” Simbisa chairman Addington Chinake said in a statement attached to the group’s half-year report ended December 31, 2025.
“Operating profit increased by 27% year-on-year, despite aggressive promotional activity and the absorption of the new fast-food tax in Zimbabwe, reflecting the benefits of rigorous cost discipline and enhanced supplier engagement during the period under review.”
He said Simbisa continued to expand its footprint and strengthen market share through the net addition of 14 new stores between December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025.
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“Ongoing investment in the refurbishment and upgrade programme resulted in 21 stores being refurbished over the same 12-month period,” Chinake said.
“To minimise disruption to trading and maintain customer convenience during refurbishments, temporary food trucks were deployed at affected sites.”
While the group operates in multiple markets, including Kenya and Eswatini, Zimbabwe accounts for 70% of its operations.
“The Zimbabwean market delivered strong revenue growth of 19% year-on-year, underpinned by a 10% increase in customer volumes compared to the prior year, with 27,2 million customers served in H1 FY2026,” Chinake said.
“Customer growth was driven by enhanced customer service, a competitive pricing strategy, and the continued expansion of delivery channels.
“Delivery orders grew 74% year-on-year, supporting a 9% increase in overall average spend over the same period, which mitigated the impact of the company absorbing the fast food tax.”
Simbisa continued to expand its footprint into prime locations while also renovating and upgrading its ageing stores.
“Between December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, the Zimbabwean market refurbished 10 stores, opened 11 new stores and closed 10 stores, ending the period with 340 counters as at December 31, 2025.
“Whilst sacrificing some gross profit margin due to elevated input costs and the absorption of additional taxes, Simbisa Zimbabwe still managed to improve operating margins in H1 FY2026 compared to the prior year.
“This performance was driven by rigorous cost containment initiatives, enhanced supplier engagement and the implementation of the decentralised, brand focused operating model, which enables sharper cost control and clearer identification of savings opportunities.”
The group’s performance for the half year saw cash generated from operating activities rising 24,4% to US$36,5 million from the prior half-year period.
Total assets increased by 10,22% to US$227,69 million as at December 31, 2025, up from US$206,57 million at the end of June 2025, largely driven by a sharp rise in financial assets and working capital.
Despite the strong earnings performance, however, the group’s current ratio remained below one, 0,74, with current liabilities of US$79,11 million exceeding current assets of US$58,46 million.
This was largely driven by an increase in trade and other payables to US$57,11 million from US$43,35 million six months earlier, reflecting the working capital structure typical of cash-generative quick service restaurant models rather than heightened short-term borrowing pressure.