South Africa’s largest coffee chain is seeking to reach 500 outlets globally by 2028 through expansion across Africa and the Middle East
Vida e Caffè has reached 300 stores in South Africa with a new outlet in Secunda, Mpumalanga province.
Founded in Cape Town in 2001 and inspired by tradtional Portuguese street cafés, Vida e Caffè is the largest branded coffee chain in South Africa. Alongside its high street and drive-thru sites, Vida e Caffè operates dozens of concession stores through partnerships with petrol station operators Shell and Sasol, convenience store chain SPAR and DIY retailer Builders Warehouse.
“We are proudly celebrating the opening of our 300th store in South Africa. It’s a milestone that reflects not just our growth, but the passion, dedication, and loyalty of every individual who has been part of this journey,” Vida e Caffè CEO Darren Levy told World Coffee Portal.
Vida e Caffè made its international debut in 2013 with a franchised store in Ghana and currently operates a further 35 international stores across the country, as well as Mauritius, Zambia, Eswatini and Botswana.
In September 2023, Vida e Caffè outlined plans to reach 500 stores across Africa and the Middle East by 2028, including expansion to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
The chain sources its coffee from Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, Ethiopia and Tanzania – and serves a South African grown coffee blend, RedBerry, from KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Its B2B customers include Discovery, TFG Group, Vodacom, Standard Bank, Old Mutual, KPMG, Mercedes and Deloitte, as well as South African airline, LIFT.
