Vida e Caffè has opened its 400th store in Cape Town, underscoring steady growth for the South African coffee brand as it expands across Africa’s competitive café market.

The new outlet at The Exchange on Lower Long Street is located just a short distance from its first store on Kloof Street, where the company began nearly 25 years ago.

Founded in 2001, Vida e Caffè has grown from a single neighbourhood café into a pan-African franchise built on Portuguese-inspired coffee culture adapted for urban African markets.

The brand, whose name means “coffee and life,” now operates across Ghana, Mauritius, Zambia, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia and Angola, reflecting wider demand for branded coffee experiences across the continent.

The milestone highlights how South Africa’s coffee sector has shifted toward franchised expansion, with local operators competing more directly with international chains.

Kloof Street, close to Vida’s origin, was recently named among the world’s most notable lifestyle streets, reinforcing Cape Town’s role in shaping retail coffee trends.

Growth through partnerships and retail diversification

“Reaching 400 stores is a proud moment for us, but what matters most is recognising the people behind it,” said Darren Levy, chief executive of Vida e Caffè.

He credited franchise partners, suppliers, staff and customers for supporting the company’s long-term expansion.

The company has broadened its model beyond traditional cafés through investments and partnerships, including its 2021 acquisition of Sweetbeet.

It has also expanded into retail and travel channels through deals with Lift Airline, SPAR, Exclusive Books, and formats such as drive-thrus, forecourts and corporate cafés. Its services are now available on Uber Eats and Mr D, alongside its own mobile app.

Local coffee chains scale across South Africa

South Africa’s coffee market continues to expand as local brands increase their footprint in both urban and suburban areas.

Plato Coffee has grown to more than 100 stores and recently entered the UK market, marking its first international push.

Xpresso Café has also expanded to about 80 outlets since 2016, focusing on lower-cost coffee offerings and further growth in major cities.

Meanwhile, Seattle Coffee Company operates more than 300 locations nationwide, reflecting sustained consumer demand for accessible specialty coffee across South Africa’s retail landscape.