Cape Town-born coffee brand Vida e Caffè has reached a major milestone with the opening of its 400th store at The Exchange on Lower Long Street, nearly 25 years after launching its first café on Kloof Street.
The new outlet, situated just minutes from the brand’s original location, marks a significant chapter in vida e caffè’s growth from a single neighbourhood coffee shop in 2001 to one of Africa’s leading coffee brands. Today, the company operates across South Africa and several other African markets, including Ghana, Mauritius, Zambia, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.
The milestone is being celebrated as a testament to the collective efforts of franchise partners, store teams, suppliers, strategic partners, and loyal customers who have supported the brand throughout its journey.
According to CEO Darren Levy, reaching the 400-store mark is about more than expansion.
“What makes it truly special is the opportunity to recognise the people who made it possible,” he said, noting that thousands of individuals have contributed to the company’s success over the past two and a half decades.
Levy reflected on his own connection to the brand, recalling his first visit to the Kloof Street store as a customer in 2001.
“To now have the privilege of leading this remarkable business with an exceptional team has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” he said.
The company also paid tribute to its customers, thanking those who have made vida e caffè part of their daily routines and embraced its iconic red takeaway cup over the years.
While celebrating the achievement, the brand says it remains focused on future growth through continued investment in people, coffee quality, innovation, and sustainability. As it looks ahead, Vida e caffè says its core identity remains unchanged: a passion for life and coffee, and a commitment to creating meaningful connections in the communities it serves.
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