Col’cacchio: The Best Restaurant Chain in South Africa

Col’Cacchio defends its title at the 2026 Annual South African Restaurant Awards (SARA), surpassing industry giants.

Col’Cacchio has secured a historic milestone, being named the Best Restaurant Chain in South Africa for the second consecutive year. The announcement was made at the prestigious Annual South African Restaurant Awards (SARA), held on May 25, 2026, at the Hotel Sky in Sandton.

The SARA awards represent the pinnacle of recognition within the South African culinary and hospitality sectors, celebrating innovation, resilience, and dining excellence.

Defending the Title Against Industry Giants

Following its inaugural win in 2025, Col’Cacchio successfully defended its title in 2026 amidst heightened competition. The brand emerged victorious from an elite lineup of national nominees, including legacy hospitality giants such as Nando’s, KFC, Wimpy, Chicken Licken, Pizza Perfect, RocoMamas, Ocean Basket, Turn ‘n Tender, Mugg & Bean, and Roman’s Pizza.

This back-to-back victory solidifies Col’Cacchio’s position as a market leader in the premium casual dining space, reflecting the brand’s unwavering commitment to consistency and quality across its entire footprint.

Excellence as a Habit: Leadership Insights

Accepting the award, Col’Cacchio Group CEO, Etienne Pieterse, emphasized that the accolade is the culmination of more than three decades of value-driven operations.

“This is a testament to 34 years of living our values,” said Pieterse. “One of those values is being committed to excellence, which it all starts and ends with. One quote that we all live by is one by Aristotle that says: ‘You are what you repeatedly do. Therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit. ’ And this is the habit of every one of our patrons and our customers that choose us every day.”

Etienne extended his gratitude to the brand’s network of over 700 dedicated staff members across South Africa, Mauritius, and Namibia. He also paid tribute to the brand’s operators, redefining their role within the ecosystem:

“Our operators are not merely franchisees; they are true corporate partners who invest their lives and hearts into making each restaurant a welcoming, premium space for our community.”

34 Years of Culinary Innovation

Founded 34 years ago, Col’Cacchio has established itself as a pioneer in the South African dining landscape, renowned for its premium wood-fired pizzas, artisanal pastas, and fresh gourmet salads. The brand attributes this latest achievement directly to its loyal customer base, whose ongoing support continues to drive Col’Cacchio’s culinary innovation.

As the company looks to the future, it remains dedicated to maintaining the rigorous standards of service and quality that have come to define the “Col’Cacchio moment.”

About Col’Cacchio

Col’Cacchio is an award-winning, premium casual dining restaurant chain specializing in artisanal Italian-inspired cuisine. Established 34 years ago, the brand operates across South Africa, Namibia, and Mauritius, delivering high-quality, wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and salads with a focus on fresh ingredients and exceptional customer service.

Website: www.colcacchio.co.za
Social Media: @ColCacchio | Instagram & Facebook