The South African comedian building a restaurant empire
South African comedian Rikus de Beer, the man behind the Radioraps brand, is building a restaurant empire across the country.
De Beer started his comedy career in 2014. It was challenging because he had no acting background or qualifications and no comedy experience.
He began to send WhatsApp voice notes with comedy skits, which gave birth to Radioraps and his alter-ego, Jonathan.
His witty observations and relatable commentary on South African life struck a chord with audiences, especially his Afrikaans followers.
De Beer started to build a loyal fan base through his viral videos, social media profiles, and stand-up comedy events.
This growing fan base helped him fill theatres nationwide with his Radio Raps stand-up comedy shows.
His unique style, rooted in local culture and language, made Radioraps and Jonathan a household name in South Africa.
He also released a movie, Jonathan: Die Movie, in 2016, Radio Raps Life 101 DVD in 2014, and Radio Raps Life 201 DVD in 2015.
Many South Africans vie De Beer, Radioraps, and Jonathan as the same person who is a stand-up comedian. However, this is not the case.
De Beer explained that Radioraps is an entertainment brand and business which makes money through entertainment and comedy.
The revenue streams include ticket sales from live performances, DVD sales from the shows, and strategic advertising.
De Beer said he was always attracted to business and entrepreneurship and realised that he was selling escapism.
“My product is escapism. Whether it is on the stage or in the restaurant business, I help people to forget and recharge,” he told Cameron Saaiman in an interview.
Building a restaurant empire

De Beer started Hennie’s in 2018. The restaurant and bar chain is named after his bull terrier, Hennie. It is also the logo for the chain.
His inspiration came from similar establishments in the United States, and he modelled the vibe and look on an American Sports Bar.
One of the standout features is the large number of televisions, each with its own DStv decoder, which allows people to watch sports wherever they sit.
Hennie’s also has house rules, like drinking with the left hand. Anyone who breaks the rules will receive a yellow or red card.
“At Hennie’s, you’re guaranteed the best chop and a cold drink to enjoy with old and new friends,” the restaurant chain states.
There are 29 Hennie’s establishments across South Africa. There are ten in Gauteng, four in the North West and six in the Western Cape.
There are also four in Mpumalanga, two in the Northern Cape, and one each in the Free State, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo.
This is only the start. De Beer said they are already planning many new branches to continue the growth over the last few years.
They are also implementing new concepts within the restaurants, including higher-end products and quicker turnarounds.
He explained that Hennie’s success is based on employing the right people and giving them the freedom to do what they believe is right.
“Get the right people and let your ego go. Employ them and trust them. You cannot be a master of everything,” he said.
“You need to stay in your lane. I am not going to preach to the franchisees or complain about an item on the menu.”
He explained that he is responsible for marketing and building the Hennie’s brand and will leave the rest to others he employed.
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