WHO WE ARE IS AMAZING
Do you know what Mzansi’s most famous pizza is? It’s the Triple-Decker®, of course! And who hasn’t heard about us, Debonairs Pizza, the home of that iconic pizza? You see, we bring levels to this pizza game. We don’t just make pizza; we make oh-so-rhalising creations like the Cram-Decker®! We don’t just deliver; we do it in style, wearing a bow tie. We’re not just another pizza place; we’re a proud South African pizza brand with restaurants all over this beautiful country we call home! That’s why everyone, from corner to coast and kasi, loves our amazing pizza. So, go ahead, next time you’re hanging out at home with the fam, watching the game with the boys or at the park just chilling, try something amazing. Try Debonairs Pizza.
MEET DEBZA
Have you met Debza? He’s kind of a small, big deal around here. He knows everything about Debonairs Pizza, and if you want to know anything about everything, he’s the guy to know. Let’s introduce you:
Can I also share a pizza me?
My name is Debza and I’m the smallest, biggest pizza influencer in Mzansi. I love Debonairs Pizza. My 2D mouth waters at the thought of it. Nowadays, people recognise me from billboards, serviettes, TV and from their favourite pizza box, of course. I’m as hot as your Debonairs pizza when it is delivered. Like our On The Triple, there’s levels to this pizza life. Until I’m the big cheese around here, you will always catch me with a pizza in my hand.
Debza.
HOW WE TALK
KASI
MEANING
The area or hood where you live, usually in a township.
WAWU
MEANING
Another way to say wow.
SKAFTIN
MEANING
Your lunchbox.
MZANSI
MEANING
Local term for South Africa.
NYANA
MEANING
Means a hint or a little bit and is usually added to another word.
RHALISING
MEANING
Something that’s very crave-able and you wish you could have it. Also rhali, oh-so-rhalising.
SBWL
MEANING
Short for sabaweli, which means to crave, want, desire and wish for something. Also sbwling.
STRUSBOB
MEANING
To swear that what you’ve said is all true and nothing but the truth.
1991
OUR AMAZING STORY BEGINS
With nothing but a dream and R6 000 in their pockets, two university students opened the first Debonairs Pizza restaurant at Park Lane Spar in Pietermaritzburg.
DELIVERING IN STYLE
From day one, we offer efficient, free delivery – a first for any South African brand. Plus, we do it in style, wearing a tux and a bow tie.1996
MOVING ON UP
We join the Steers® Group, which would later become Famous Brands – Africa’s leading branded food service company.
1997
BUILDING BEYOND BORDERS
We open our first restaurant outside of South Africa in Manzini, Eswatini.
1998
WE DELIVER SMARTLY
We bring five-star delivery on two wheels.
1998
WE STRUT OUR STUFF ON THE CATWALK
Known for our dashing delivery tuxes, we collaborate with the Durban Designer Collection to create a line of menswear that shows our top shayela style.
SA’S FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR
Not only did we receive this prestigious award from the Franchisee Association of South Africa, but also open our 60th restaurant in Rivonia.1999
LOOK MA, WE’RE ON TV!
We flight our very first TV commercial.
2005
SAME TASTE, DIFFERENT TAGLINE
Our tagline gets a makeover to remind Mzansi our pizza is made just the way they like it.
2005
BROUGHT DEBONAIRS PIZZA TO SANDTON
In a star-studded event, we open our 200th restaurant in Sandton, the richest square-mile in Africa.
2008
YEAR OF INNOVATION
We introduce our now iconic pizzas, the Triple-Decker®, Crammed-Crust® and Double-Stack®
2010
WE TAKE AMAZING, ONLINE
We launch online and mobile ordering. A first for any pizza brand in Africa!
AMAZING FOR ONE
We introduce a small personal pizza to Mzansi – the Real Deal. Skaftins have never been the same ever since.2011
NOTHING LESS THAN AMAZING
We ask Mzansi a simple question: Why settle for okay when you can order amazing?
2012
DOING GOOD IN MZANSI
We start sharing a little extra dough with local charities that help communities in need through our newly launched Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, Doughnation.
2016
MZANSI’S FAVE PIZZA
Mzansi votes us the 3rd most loved fast-food brand in the Sunday Times Top Brands Awards, cementing our position as the No. 1 pizza brand in the country.
OPEN OUR 600TH RESTAURANT
25 years after we started our amazing story, we open our 600th restaurant in Botshabelo.2019
LEVELLING UP
We go up a level and move from 3rd to the 2nd most loved fast-food brand in the Sunday Times Top Brand awards.
2020
DEBZA GOES VIRAL
The smallest pizza influencer makes his Twitter debut and trends.