Pizza Specials in South Africa: Debonairs, Roman's, Panarottis and How to Compare

Quick answer: South Africa has several big pizza brands, including Debonairs (about 868 locations across 16 markets), Roman's Pizza (250+ outlets), Panarottis (about 150 restaurants) and many independents. Specials vary by brand, store and time, so the best way to save is to compare the total price per pizza, check whether delivery fees apply and use official apps for current offers.

Last updated: October 2026. Facts come from Wikipedia, BusinessTech and Daily Investor reporting on Famous Brands and Spur Corporation. We do not quote shelf prices.

The big pizza players

Brand	Group	Public figure	Style
Debonairs	Famous Brands	About 868 locations in 16 markets (FY ended 28 Feb 2025); 27 added that year	Delivery and takeaway
Roman's Pizza	Private, Centurion	250+ outlets (2024)	Two-pizza combos, pan and traditional crust
Panarottis	Spur Corporation	150 locations (Dec 2025); 157 per one 2026 report	Sit-down pizza and pasta
Piza e Vino	Spur Corporation	7 locations (Dec 2025)	Italian restaurant

Debonairs' global figure covers all markets, not only South Africa. Famous Brands' wider network is around 2,914 restaurants in 18 countries, with 2,552 in South Africa according to one report that does not state its financial year.

How pizza specials usually work

• Combo deals: two pizzas for one price, or a pizza plus sides.
• Day-specific offers: a weekday deal at certain brands or restaurants.
• App-only offers: discounts for ordering through the brand's app.
• Voucher and bundle deals: a pizza with drinks and sides.

These are common formats. Always confirm the exact offer with the brand's official channels because we could not verify fixed national weekday specials for every brand.

Dine-in, collection or delivery?

Option	Pros	Cons
Dine-in	Fresh from the oven, family setting	Drinks and service add up
Collection	No delivery fee	You must travel
Delivery	Convenient	Fees and possible third-party mark-ups

A cost-per-slice method

Pizza sizes differ, so compare cost per slice or per square centimetre. Ask the store the diameter and number of slices. For example, if a large pizza costs R150 and has eight slices, that is R18.75 per slice. A combo of two pizzas for R280 with 16 slices is R17.50 per slice. These numbers are examples to show the sum, not real prices.

How much pizza do you need?

Group	Planning idea
2 adults	1 large pizza plus a side
Family of 4	2 large pizzas
6 teenagers	3 to 4 large pizzas
10 colleagues	5 large pizzas with mixed toppings

Smart ordering tips

1. Check the app for current offers before ordering.
2. Choose collection when the saving beats the delivery fee.
3. Avoid paying for extra toppings you do not need.
4. Share a side rather than ordering one per person.
5. Keep leftovers in the fridge within two hours and reheat until hot.

Pros and cons of chain pizza

Pros

• Consistent menu and wide availability.
• App promotions and combos.

Cons

• Specials differ by outlet.
• Delivery and topping surcharges.

Frequently asked questions

Which pizza chain is biggest in South Africa?

By network size Debonairs is very large, with about 868 locations across 16 markets, though that figure includes international stores.

Does Roman's still do two pizzas for one price?

That is the format it is best known for; confirm current terms in the app or store.

Is Panarottis a franchise?

It belongs to Spur Corporation and operates through franchise restaurants.

Is delivery cheaper than collection?

Usually not; collection avoids the fee.

Common pizza-ordering mistakes

• Ordering by price without checking the diameter or slice count.
• Paying for delivery when a collection point is close to home.
• Adding premium toppings to every pizza instead of one shared special.
• Assuming a voucher works at every outlet of the same brand.
• Forgetting that app and phone prices can differ from the menu board.

A useful habit is to compare the same pizza across two apps before paying, because platform fees and menu mark-ups differ. Also check whether the offer includes drinks and sides, since a combo that includes a cooldrink may beat a cheaper pizza ordered on its own. If you would rather cook at home this week, compare the latest Checkers catalogue, Pick n Pay catalogue and Take n Pay catalogue to see current supermarket specials in South Africa.

Gluten, dairy and dietary options

If someone in your group has coeliac disease, a dairy allergy or follows a halal or vegetarian diet, speak to the restaurant before ordering. Menus, ingredients and certifications differ between brands and between franchise outlets, and cross-contamination is possible in a busy kitchen.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Famous Brands; Spur Corporation; Roman's Pizza
• BusinessTech: coverage of Debonairs and Famous Brands growth
• Daily Investor: Famous Brands integrated annual report coverage