Flip Burgers into a Flame-Grilled Future: Your Inside Guide to Steers Careers – From Crew to Franchise Owner.
real South African heritage. But have you ever smelled the opportunity cooking behind the counter? As one of Famous Brands’ flagship chains, Steers isn’t just a fast-food joint—it’s a proven engine for career growth and entrepreneurial success.
They’re hiring more than just crew members; they’re recruiting future restaurant managers, area coaches, and franchise partners. The journey from cleaning the shake machine to managing a multi-million rand turnover restaurant is a story written by hundreds of their current leaders. Let’s open the grill and see what’s sizzling in the world of Steers careers.
1. The Restaurant Crew: The Foundation of Flame-Grilled Success
This is where the sizzle starts. It’s hands-on, team-oriented, and the training ground for everything.
Positions: Crew Member (Front Service, Grill, Chip Fryer), Drive-Thru Operator, Cashier.
The Real Deal: You are the first point of contact for the brand. It’s about speed, maintaining the iconic “Real Food” quality, and creating a vibe that keeps customers coming back. You’ll likely rotate through kitchen and service.
Possible Income: Entry-level crew positions typically start between R5,500 – R9,000 per month. Senior crew members or designated trainers can earn up to R10,000 – R12,000.
Skill Development: Mastery of food safety (HACCP), customer service in fast-paced QSR (Quick Service Restaurant), precision in food prep, cash handling, and being part of a high-energy team. It’s a crash course in operations and resilience.
2. The Shift Leaders: The Kitchen Captains
This is your first step into leadership, where you take charge of the flame during a shift.
Positions: Shift Supervisor, Junior Assistant Manager.
The Real Deal: You’re responsible for the crew’s performance, food quality, and customer satisfaction during your shift. You’re the go-to problem solver and the key to maintaining the Steers standard.
Possible Income: Shift leaders and junior assistants can earn between R11,000 – R18,000, depending on the restaurant’s size and location.
Skill Development: Basic people management, shift coordination, waste control, opening/closing procedures, and ensuring compliance with all operational checklists.
3. The Restaurant Management: Running the Flame
This is where you transition from managing tasks to managing a business.
Positions: Assistant Manager, Restaurant General Manager (RGM).
The Real Deal: As an RGM, you are the CEO of your restaurant. You own the profit & loss, staff recruitment and training, inventory, marketing, and everything in between. This is a role with serious accountability and reward.
Possible Income: Assistant Managers range from R16,000 – R25,000. Restaurant General Managers have a significant earning potential, with salaries typically between R28,000 – R45,000+ per month, plus performance-based bonuses that can add R5,000 – R15,000+.
Skill Development: Full P&L management, HR processes, advanced inventory and cost control, local store marketing, and leadership development. The Famous Brands management training is a key asset here.
4. The Corporate & Franchise Support Track
Behind every great burger is a powerful support system from the Famous Brands group.
Positions at Famous Brands Head Office: Roles in Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, IT, and Operations Support specifically for the Steers brand.
Positions with Franchisees: Many Steers restaurants are franchised. Large franchise groups hire their own Area Managers, Trainers, and Operations Consultants to support their network of stores.
The Real Deal: These roles allow you to work on the brand at a strategic level, shaping national campaigns, optimizing supply chains, or supporting franchisees to grow their businesses.
Possible Income: Entry-level corporate roles at Famous Brands often start in the R18,000 – R30,000 range. Field roles like Area Manager align closely with senior RGM packages.
Skill Development: Brand strategy, franchisee relations, national logistics, data-driven business analysis, and multi-unit management principles.
5. The Ultimate Goal: Franchise Ownership
For the entrepreneurial-minded, Steers offers a renowned franchise model through Famous Brands.
The Path: Outstanding RGMs or Area Managers with strong operational records, business acumen, and financial capability can apply to become franchisees.
The Real Deal: This is running your own business with the backing of South Africa’s largest restaurant franchisor. It’s a major investment with the potential for significant long-term wealth creation.
Possible Income: Franchisee income is a share of the restaurant’s profits. Successful multi-unit franchise owners build substantial assets and generational wealth.
Skill Development: Entrepreneurship, business development, advanced financial management, and community business leadership.
YOUR STERS APPLICATION GAME PLAN: How to Get Grilling
Where to Find Steers Jobs:
The Direct Approach (BEST Method): Walk into your local Steers. Ask to speak to the manager on duty and hand them your CV directly. This shows initiative and confidence.
Franchise Group Websites: Many large franchisees (like groups that own 20+ stores) have their own “Careers” pages. Search for “Steers franchise careers.”
Famous Brands Portal: Check the Famous Brands Careers Page for corporate and sometimes franchised store opportunities.
The Secret Ingredient They’re Looking For (The X-Factor):
Steers values people with PRIDE and HUSTLE. Pride in the product (that “Real Food” ethos) and hustle to keep the energy high and customers happy. They want team players who smile under pressure.
How to Show It: In your interview, talk about why you love the brand, mention a positive experience you had as a customer, or give an example of when you worked hard as part of a team to achieve a goal.
Your Action Plan to Get Hired:
CV Tips: Keep it to one page. Highlight any customer service, cash handling, or team sport experience. Even volunteering counts. Show you’re reliable and energetic.
Prepare for the Interview: Be ready for questions like: “It’s a busy Friday night, the till is slow, and the line is getting long. What do you do?” Focus on solutions: calm the crew, communicate with customers, help the cashier.
Show You Know the Brand: A simple line like, “I appreciate how Steers focuses on real, flame-grilled food,” shows you’re not just looking for any job.
The Steers Advantage: More Than a Paycheck
Building a career at Steers comes with tangible benefits:
Structured Training: Access to Famous Brands’ training programs, both in-store and online, designed to upskill you at every level.
Employee Meals: Enjoy discounted or complimentary meals on shift—taste the product you’re proud of.
Clear Promotion Ladder: A well-defined path from crew to management, with a strong culture of promoting from within.
Brand Prestige: You’re working for one of SA’s most beloved and enduring fast-food brands.
Transferable Skills: The discipline, customer focus, and operational skills are gold on any resume.
Final Sizzle: A job at Steers is a starter pack for a serious career in retail management or entrepreneurship. You’re not just flipping burgers; you’re grilling up a future full of responsibility, skill, and real growth potential.
Don’t just crave the burger. Build the career behind it. Apply at Steers today.
P.S. Know someone who’s energetic, loves people, and isn’t afraid of hard work? TAG them or SHARE this guide. You could be giving them the recipe for their first real career move.