Own Old Town Italy. Own a Piazza of Your Own.
The first Old Town Italy opened its doors in 2015 in Umhlanga: a neighbourhood restaurant with a deli at its heart, built slowly, on the conviction that good food should never be rushed. It was born from a memory — of a grocery store that felt like a social event, not a chore, where the butcher knew your preferences and the baker greeted you by name. Old Town Italy’s mission is to restore that quality of experience, one long lunch at a time.
Four Ways Old Town Italy Earns Its Keep
Food — La Vera Cucina Real food, made properly. The menu spans the full Italian table — morning coffee and pastries, leisurely brunches, long lunches, and evening dining — while the deli sells artisan products, curated cheeses, cured meats, and local produce to take home. Two revenue streams under one roof, one philosophy.
Bar — Salute! The bar is no afterthought. Beverage sales are a significant revenue contributor at Old Town Italy.
Events — A space that earns its keep even when the kitchen is closed. Old Town Italy’s design makes it a natural home for private events, corporate functions, product launches, family celebrations, and seasonal occasions — meaningful incremental revenue above and beyond normal trading. Franchisees get the full events toolkit: brand assets, menus, staffing guidelines, and operational support for execution.
Seasonal Décor The seasons change, and so does Old Town Italy — from harvest-table autumn warmth to the festive magic of Christmas in an Italian piazza. Seasonal décor drives footfall and repeat visits all year round.
Backed by Life & Brand Portfolio Since 1998
Old Town Italy is part of Life & Brand Portfolio — one of South Africa’s most significant privately owned restaurant groups. From its early beginnings with Harbour House in Kalk Bay, the group has grown into a multi-brand portfolio operating more than 50 restaurants across South Africa and the wider SADC region, home to names like Tiger’s Milk, La Parada, Harbour House, and Old Town Italy.
These aren’t just places to eat. They’re places people choose again and again — for a first date, a Sunday lunch, a celebration. That’s the magic we’ve built over 25+ years, and it’s what we’re inviting the right partners to share in.
We’re also actively growing beyond our borders, and we welcome enquiries from experienced operators in new markets — particularly the UAE, Namibia, Botswana, and other SADC countries.
What You Get
A Proven Business Model Step into a brand with an established following and a track record of performance — not a concept still finding its feet.
Central Kitchen & Distribution Our central kitchen delivers pre-prepared, pre-portioned ingredients straight to your restaurant, so quality stays consistent, operations run smoother, and your costs stay under control.
National Marketing Muscle Tap into national campaigns, an established digital presence, and local marketing support designed to keep customers walking through your door — and your deli counter.
Site Selection & Build-Out Support Our team works alongside you on site selection, lease negotiation, and store design — because getting the location and layout right from day one matters, especially for a concept built around atmosphere.
Head Office Systems & HR Support You will get tried-and-tested systems and procedures, backed by a head office team ready to help with best practice and day-to-day troubleshooting.
Comprehensive Training From brand standards to menu prep to business management, our training programs prepare you and your team to run the business the right way — and keep it running that way.
Put together, it’s a complete support system: comprehensive training, ongoing operational guidance, national and local marketing, and access to our competitive supply chain and central kitchen — all designed to take much of the operational complexity off your plate.
Is This You?
We’re looking for franchise partners who bring:
- A genuine passion for hospitality
- Deep, hands-on restaurant or operations experience
- Strong leadership ability
- The financial standing to invest in and grow a serious enterprise
Previous restaurant ownership isn’t strictly required — but we do look for candidates with strong restaurant management experience who are ready to stay actively involved in the business, not just fund it.
If that sounds like you, and you’re ready to work within a proven system rather than start from scratch, we’d like to talk.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Join a brand built on the belief that quality, time, and craft aren’t limitations — they’re the whole point. Let’s talk about what owning an Old Town Italy could look like for you.