Ocean Basket into Saudi – following well worth path for SA-born business brands

I met Grace Harding on Friday. The bundle of energy who runs the 178-outlet Ocean Basket came through to CNBC Africa to talk about the franchise's latest global expansion. This time the seafood restaurant business is opening in Saudi Arabia, the 10th country outside its home base. That reminded me about Nando's. And Spur. South African food franchises that have travelled really well. To Europe, Australia, the Middle East and other parts of our own continent.

But it shouldn't really be a surprise. Back in the 1960s, multinationals often used South Africa as a testing ground for new products. It was small enough to avoid embarrassment if things didn't work out, but diverse and a market of sufficient size for them to know if it worked here, the product had a good chance of doing the same elsewhere. The success in the global arena of home grown food brands like Ocean Basket suggests the theory still holds true. So pay close attention the next time you hear of a SA-born brand looking to conquer the world.