Col’Cacchio Expands Beyond Sit-Down Restaurants

Being around for more than 30 years is something we are incredibly proud of, but longevity alone does not guarantee relevance, said Etienne Pieterse, CEO of South African pizza chain Col’Cacchio.

The 34-year-old restaurant group is expanding beyond its traditional sit-down locations into takeaway outlets and supermarket shelves, Daily Investor reported. The company operates 20 restaurants across South Africa, Namibia, and Mauritius, and is now scaling its Col’Cacchio GO takeaway network alongside ready-to-heat retail pizzas.

Expanding into Takeaway Outlets and Supermarket Shelves

The brand’s diversification strategy addresses shifting consumer preferences in South Africa’s quick meals sector. According to Trade Intelligence’s Ready-to-Eat Food Report 2026/27, the country’s quick-service restaurant market reached a value of R45.5 billion in 2025, marking an 11.4% increase from the previous year as the largest segment of the out-of-home food market.

To capture this demand, Col’Cacchio is deploying multiple formats to reach buyers across different dining occasions. The GO network focuses on collection and delivery, allowing the brand to open sites where a full restaurant footprint is unnecessary. Meanwhile, the retail line places fresh and frozen pizzas into major grocery channels.

Adapting the Menu for Retail Distribution

The retail venture originated during the Covid-19 pandemic when government restrictions forced restaurant closures. Initial distribution began through SPAR Sea Point and has since expanded to selected SPAR and Checkers locations, as well as Nibbly Bits stores nationwide.

Adapting restaurant recipes for supermarket shelves required distinct manufacturing adjustments to endure transport and storage while preserving brand quality. Retail couldn’t feel like a watered-down version of our restaurant experience, Pieterse said. The occasion and preparation method may be different, but the customer’s expectation isn’t.

Several supermarket products mirror popular menu items. The frozen Butternut, Feta, and Pumpkin Seed Praline pizza draws inspiration from the restaurant’s Norm’s Pralina offering, earning a gold medal and the Best Pizza category win at the Food & Home Awards. A frozen pepperoni option also received a silver award.

Competing in South Africa’s Quick Meals Market

The multichannel approach positions Col’Cacchio alongside established giants in South Africa’s pizza sector, including Roman’s and Debonairs. Traditional fast-food operators like KFC and McDonald’s also compete for convenience-driven consumers alongside supermarket aisles and fuel station forecourts.

Col’Cacchio was founded in Cape Town in 1992 by Kinga Baranowska and Michael Terespolsky. The GO format debuted in Westlake, Cape Town, in April 2025 and has expanded to nine sites, including eight domestic locations and one at Tribeca Mall in Mauritius. The group was named Best Restaurant Chain in South Africa at the 2026 South African Restaurant Awards, defending the title it won in 2025.