Woolworths is expanding its fast-casual food business in South Africa with a new NOW NOW outlet at Somerset Mall, adding to a network that has grown to 10 dedicated mall locations as the retailer targets consumers seeking convenient meals beyond traditional fast food.

The latest outlet opened on Sept. 10, 2026, bringing Woolworths’ ready-to-eat food concept to another high-traffic shopping destination.

Customers can also order from the Somerset Mall location through Uber Eats and Mr D for delivery to homes and workplaces.

Woolworths takes food-to-go into more shopping hubs

NOW NOW combines Woolworths’ food offering with the speed and convenience of a takeaway outlet.

Its seasonal menu covers different parts of the day, with options including breakfast buns, egg pots, sourdough toasties, baguettes, soups, salads, warm bowls, burgers and sides.

The menu also includes items such as a plant-based burger, chicken curry, Korean beef and crispy hake, alongside smoothies and coffee.

Woolworths changes the selection seasonally, giving the format room to respond to changing customer preferences.

The retailer has placed NOW NOW outlets in high-density urban areas, major shopping centres and business districts, including Canal Walk and Rosebank Mall. It also operates express modules inside or alongside selected flagship Woolworths Food stores.

A concept built around speed and convenience

Woolworths launched NOW NOW in April 2017, initially targeting office workers and commuters looking for fast, quality meals at affordable prices.

Its first outlet opened on Longmarket Street in Cape Town’s City Bowl, close to Woolworths’ corporate head office.

The concept was built around convenience from the start, including an order-ahead app that allowed customers to pay and collect food without waiting in-store.

Nearly a decade after its Cape Town debut, Woolworths has taken NOW NOW beyond the CBD into shopping malls and busy transport corridors, using the format to extend its food business into more everyday consumption occasions.