How Rainbow Chicken Became South Africa’s Feathered Food Giant

When you bite into a perfectly crumbed Rainbow chicken drumstick, you’re not just enjoying a meal—you’re tasting over six decades of South African history, innovation, and dedication.

From a Rainbow to a Revolution

In 1960, Stanley Methven took a stroll on his father’s farm and witnessed a rainbow glistening over a waterfall. Inspired, he founded RAINBOW—not chasing gold at the rainbow’s end, but imagining steaming pots of Isishebo nourishing families across Durban. What started as a humble chicken stall in central Durban quickly grew, and by 1963, Rainbow had its first processing plant in Hammarsdale.

“Stanley’s goal was simple,” says Rainbow’s spokesperson. “Feed families, care for communities, and nourish the nation. We’re still living that promise today.”

Growth, Innovation, and a Finger in Every Pie

Rainbow didn’t stop there. By 1976, three processing plants were operational, and in 1984, the company won the coveted KFC tender—a major milestone that put Rainbow firmly on South Africa’s culinary map. Expansion continued with a R20 million feed plant in 1992 and a R159 million value-added plant in 2006. Despite challenges like chicken dumping, bird flu, listeriosis, and COVID-19, Rainbow adapted and grew, proving resilience is in their DNA.

Today, Rainbow is a fully integrated broiler producer, breeding and rearing livestock on Epol Feed, and delivering fresh, frozen, and value-added chicken to every corner of South Africa. Their obsession with quality and food safety remains uncompromising—every chicken is treated with care from farm to fork.

Milestones That Shaped the Nation’s Plate

• 1960: Rainbow founded by Stanley Methven

• 1963: First processing plant in Hammarsdale

• 1976: Third processing plant in Worcester

• 1984: Won KFC tender

• 1992: R20M feed plant commissioned

• 2006: 66 new products launched in 3 new markets

• 2013: Acquisition by Foodcorp, company becomes RCL FOODS

• 2024: Rainbow Chicken Limited lists on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

From humble beginnings to a national powerhouse, Rainbow Chicken is more than a brand—it’s a story of innovation, resilience, and the enduring spirit of South African farmers.

So next time you enjoy a Rainbow Simply Chicken burger or crumbed drumstick, remember: every bite carries a legacy born from a rainbow and a dream.