Allen Ambor of the Spur Corporation

"Life is like surfing - you have to stay ahead of the wave or risk getting dumped!" Allen Ambor, Spur Corporation

Allen Ambor, founder of Spur Corporation, is the personification of entrepreneurial success. Never given anything on a silver platter, he built from scratch with a small team initially, what is now one of the most successful brands in South Africa, with operations across our borders in Africa, as well as internationally, in Ireland, Australia, and even Mauritius, to name but a few. Yet Allen's beginnings were humble - a fact which pushes him forward, rather than holding him back…

Having finished Matric in Johannesburg, Allen completed a year's stint at the UK head office of the carpet and materials company that his father represented in South Africa. On his return, at aged 18, he found employment at a shipping and indent agency, however not satisfied with the

prospect of spending five years in the sample room, after nine months he decided to continue with his education, and went on to study the history of art, economics and English, with the possibility of becoming a lawyer.

Allen put himself through university by working in a steakhouse in Johannesburg, where he developed an interest in the restaurant business, and a dream to eventually own his own restaurant. This was put on hold however, and he took up a position in the Personnel Department of a shoe company. It was on the last of many business trips to Cape Town, on the verge of taking up another position, that he met a builder who was building a shopping complex in Newlands. At age 23 with R2000 in his pocket and no surety, he signed the lease to open the restaurant. The complex took some time to build, during which time he took on various ad-hoc positions, including waitering, teaching, soccer coaching and restaurant management.

The Golden Spur, as it was to be named, was opened in 1967. Allen's hard work and dedication paid off, and from day one the Golden Spur was a success, due largely to Allen's high standards of customer service and quality food. Little did Allen realise at the time that this was the beginning of a multi-store franchise. He went in with a partner and opened a Spur in Sea Point, however after 18 months he bought his partner out when the branch started showing signs of poor management and neglect. He worked hard to build it back to the standards of the Newlands branch, and when another friend approached him to open a branch in Bellville, he decided to franchise him rather than go into partnership.

So successful was the family-orientated sit-down restaurant concept that Allen soon found himself opening several more stores in quick succession. By 1986, the franchise had grown to 43 Spur Steak Ranches, and since then that number has more than quadrupled, with approximately 15 new Spur Steak Ranches developed every year. Many outlets have been opened internationally, with plans for further expansion already under way. As Chairman of the Spur Corporation, Allen is still extremely involved in the franchise organisation. Allen remains what he calls the "Brand Custodian", in that he still maintains control of marketing and development of the corporation.

Allen attributes his success to his sheer grit and persistence. He believes that one should always maintain one's caring and humility, and never to become arrogant. Customer service is of the essence, as he believes that "Your competition don't bankrupt you, your customers do." He also stresses the importance of maintaining a good relationship with franchisees, allowing for an open flow of information.

Allen exudes an aura of high energy and intelligence, which could be attributed to his healthy lifestyle and strict exercise regime. He sets aside a third of his day for yoga, walking and cycling - and still finding the energy to keep up with his seven year old son! He enjoys travelling and being active, and says that he will always remain involved in the business: "I am not an old person, and will never retire. Life is like surfing - you have to stay ahead of the wave or risk getting dumped!"