Mugg & Bean Specials: Breakfast, Coffee and How to Get Value at a Casual Dining Chain
Quick answer: Mugg & Bean is a Famous Brands coffee-shop and casual-dining chain that Wikipedia listed at 322 locations in mid-2025. We could not verify a current weekly special or a loyalty-programme offer, so check the Mugg & Bean menu board and app for the day's deal and its end time. Famous Brands' latest interim results for the six months to August 2026 reported group revenue up 2.3% to about R4.3 billion, with 48 new restaurants opened and 67 revamped across its brands.
' 'Last updated: October 2026. Facts come from Wikipedia (Famous Brands), Daily Investor and BusinessTech coverage of the October 2026 results. The location count is a mid-2025 snapshot. We do not quote menu prices because we could not verify them.
' 'Where Mugg & Bean sits
'| Question | Answer from public sources |
|---|---|
| Who owns it? | Famous Brands |
| How many locations? | 322 (Wikipedia, mid-2025 snapshot) |
| Group performance | Revenue up 2.3% to about R4.3 billion and operating profit down 4.7% to R375 million in the six months to August 2026 |
| Group openings | 48 new restaurants and 67 revamps in that period, across brands |
| Where are deals published? | Menu board, app and social pages; we found no fixed weekly schedule |
Ways to save at a coffee-shop chain
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- Eat in the breakfast window. Breakfast menus are often the best value for a full plate; ask when the breakfast menu ends. '
- Share large dishes. Portions at casual-dining chains can be generous. '
- Check the coffee offers. Some stores run coffee-and-cake combos; ask at the counter. '
- Use the app. Look for vouchers or loyalty points, but read the terms. '
- Skip the extras. Add-ons such as extra toppings and bottled drinks quickly raise the bill. '
Cost per head: a worked example
'The numbers are invented to show the method. Two people each order a breakfast at R95 and a coffee at R38. That is R266 before any tip. If they share one large breakfast at R95 and a bowl of fruit at R45, plus two coffees at R38, the total is R216, which saves R50.
'| Order (invented numbers) | Items | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two breakfasts and two coffees | R95 x 2 + R38 x 2 | R266 | R133 |
| Share one breakfast and fruit, two coffees | R95 + R45 + R38 x 2 | R216 | R108 |
| Coffee and cake combo for two | Assumed R120 | R120 | R60 |
Mugg & Bean versus other options
'| Option | Strength | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|
| Mugg & Bean | Sit-down breakfast, coffee and a wide menu | Higher prices than fast food |
| Wimpy | Family diner with breakfasts | Quality varies by franchise |
| Independent coffee shops | Local character | Prices vary widely |
| Home breakfast | Cheapest per head | Requires time |
Pros and cons
'Pros
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- Comfortable setting and wide menu. '
- Good for meetings and family brunches. '
- Part of a large group with regular revamps. '
Cons
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- More expensive than takeaway chains. '
- No verified weekly special in our sources. '
- Offers vary by franchise. '
Frequently asked questions
'How many Mugg & Bean restaurants are there?
'322 according to a mid-2025 Wikipedia listing; check for updates.
'Is Mugg & Bean owned by Famous Brands?
'Yes.
'Does Mugg & Bean have a breakfast special?
'We could not verify one. Ask your local restaurant.
'Is there a loyalty programme?
'We could not verify the current programme. Check the app.
' 'Planning a Mugg & Bean visit
'Choose the time of day first. Breakfast and brunch suit the menu best, and weekday mornings are usually quieter than weekends. Phone ahead or book if you have a group of six or more, because tables for large groups can take time to arrange. Decide your budget before you sit down: a simple rule is to agree on a maximum per person, add a tip of about 10% for good service where it is not already included, and check the bill for a service charge on big tables.
'If you work remotely, a coffee shop can be a pleasant place for a few hours, but order regularly and be considerate about space at busy times. During load shedding, a coffee shop with backup power can be a useful place to charge a laptop, but ask the staff before you plug in.
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- Check the opening hours, which vary by mall and centre. '
- Ask whether the kitchen closes earlier than the shop. '
- Look for vegetarian and gluten-free options if you need them, and tell the waiter about allergies. '
- Compare the menu price with the same meal at a local independent cafe. '
Sources
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- Wikipedia: Famous Brands '
- Daily Investor: owner of Steers, Wimpy and Mugg & Bean rolling out drive-thrus '
- BusinessTech: fast-food giant opening more stores across South Africa '