South Africans may debate flavours, brands and regional favourites, but when it comes to what actually ends up in the basket, the data tells a remarkably unified story.
Luke Oliver, Head of Food at Mister D
According to Mr. Dee, based on order data from September to December 2025, there is not a single province in the country that does not share the same basic food habits. In all nine provinces, chicken, burgers and pizza continue to be the best-selling categories. No matter where you live, Friday dinner is the most popular meal time of the week. And when it comes to brand loyalty, KFC and McDonald's lead the way across the country.
These trends are not marginal. They are awesome. The patterns are so strong that they transcend geography, culture and income bracket, highlighting just how central these foods are to South Africa's everyday food culture.
“South Africans love variety, but the data shows that there is a shared food language across the country,” says Luke Ollivier, head of food/restaurants at Mister D. “We really deliver for all parties and all tastes.”
While the big picture tells the story of national sustainability, a deeper look at the details reveals some specific local priorities worth celebrating.
When it comes to bread-based local favorites, it's a close race between Kota and bunny chow, with Kota taking the lead nationally. The Gatsbys follows in third place, but with one change. Over 90% of all Gatsbys ordered at Mister D's are sold in the Western Cape, making it one of the dishes with the strongest regional loyalty in the country.
Buni Chow, while strongly associated with KwaZulu-Natal, is far from a single province phenomenon. KZN accounts for more than half of all bunny chow ordered, with Gauteng close behind, with almost one in three sold in the province.
The data reinforces what many South Africans intuitively know. We love our classics, we come in droves on Friday nights, and while we may debate passionately over which local dish reigns supreme, we still share a similar appetite.
From nationwide favorite to proudly local icon, the State of the Food Nation clearly proves one thing. South Africans order boldly, locally and together. And Mr. D is providing everything right there with easy convenience.
About Mr. D
For over 30 years, Mister D has been a proudly South African one-stop app shop, designed to deliver a seamless ordering experience whenever you need it. No paying extra for Priority, just seamless convenience, a huge variety of dining options, and seamless checkout with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Using cutting-edge technology you can trust, Mister D is all about effortless convenience and supporting local businesses you can feel good about. Our dedicated teams are always ready to assist, ensuring that every customer's experience with us is nothing short of exceptional. Convenience-based to make Mr. D smarter, simpler and more satisfying.
For more information, visit: https://www.mrd.com/