Africa-Press – South-Africa. Despite being packed with fat, carbs and high levels of salt, South Africans can’t get enough of fast food, with the segment growing significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
New data from Stats SA shows that, following a significant dip in activity at the onset of COVID, South Africa’s takeout and fast-food segment quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels and has only grown since.
By October 2025, the sector grew into a R3 billion behemoth, sitting just under the R3.5 billion haul from restaurants and coffee shops, which have still not returned to their pre-COVID levels.
This rise in fast-food success comes despite the very apparent health risks associated with the quick bites.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than half of the adult population in South Africa is overweight or obese, with two-thirds being women.
As South Africa grapples with a significant obesity crisis, understanding the role of fast food in this epidemic is crucial.
The 2023 report by Action highlights that approximately 31% of men, 68% of women, and 13% of children aged 6-14 are affected by overweight or obesity, further underlining the urgent need for awareness around dietary choices.
While food insecurity is a critical factor in the country’s malnutrition figures, obesity is increasingly recognised as a global problem that often stems from the consumption of nutrient-poor diets.
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) reported that South Africa faces a triple burden of malnutrition, which includes undernutrition, hidden hunger, and the prevalence of unhealthy weight due to diets high in calories but low in essential nutrients.
A 2024 HSRC study found that a significant portion of South African households rely on nutrient-poor food groups, suggesting that many individuals are turning to convenient yet unhealthy options.
In fact, 18.6% of households consumed poor diets, while 23.3% consumed borderline poor diets, according to the study.
The association between fast-food consumption and obesity is strengthened by research from Germany and Rhodes University, which links the proximity of fast-food restaurants to increased rates of overweight individuals.
In response to these pressing issues, the South African government has rolled out the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan for 2018-2023, aimed at combating food insecurity and improving nutrition.
Heftiest fast foods in South Africa
Although the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for an adult is 8,700 kilojoules (kJ) per day, which varies among individuals, the kilojoule content of some fast-food meals exceeds this amount.
BusinessTech looked at some of the most fattening meals across South Africa’s most popular fast-food chains.
Worryingly, despite nutritional information historically being easily accessible to consumers, many fast food chains
The fattiest fast food meal, sitting at 14,959 kJ or 3,575 calories, is Debonairs’ Triple-Decker Topped Meaty pizza.
If one person were to consume an entire stacked pizza, they would be consuming 172% of their RDA. One slice alone (approximately 1,875kJ) is more than a fifth of the RDA.
Fishaways’ highest-calorie meal (for one person) is the Platter for one (fried) with chips, which has 7,883 kJ, that is equivalent to 1,884 calories—up from 6,046 kJ recorded in 2024.
However, Fishaways’ protein content has increased to 63 g, up from 39 g in 2024.
The seafood restaurant chain also offers healthier options such as meals under 500 calories (2,092 kJ).
Out of these options, the meal with the lowest amount of calories is the hake and salad, with only 295 calories (1,234 kJ).
Steers’s Mo’Mjojo burger and chips meal contains approximately 8446 kJ, of which the burger alone accounts for 5,847 kJ.
Below is the nutritional information of five high-calorie meals from popular fast-food restaurants.
Debonairs’ Triple-Decker Topped Meaty Pizza
Total kilojoules (kJ)14,959kJ Per Slice1,870Fat (g)153Carbohydrates (g)342Sodium (mg)5,242
KFC – Fully Loaded Box Large (With Zinger Burger)
Total kilojoules (kJ)5,181Fat (g)42Carbohydrates (g)160Sodium (mg)2,662
Fishaways – Platter for One (fried) with chips
Total kilojoules (kJ)7,883Fat (g)123Carbohydrates (g)131Protein (g)63
McDonald’s – Large McFeast Meal
Total kilojoules (kJ)7,293Fat (g)100Carbohydrates (g)142Sodium (mg)1,561
Steers – Mo’Mjojo burger and chips
Total kilojoules (kJ8,446Fat (g)149Carbohydrates (g)118Sodium (mg)4,705
Burger King – [NEW] Texas BBQ Bacon Bundle
Total kilojoules (kJ8,116Fat (g)87Carbohydrates (g)201Sodium (mg)5,900
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