Roman's Pizza

Roman's Pizza is a South African pizza franchise founded in 1993 by Arthur Nicolakakis. It began under the name Little Caesar's and adopted the Roman's Pizza name in 2002. The business is headquartered in Midrand, Gauteng, and has developed into one of South Africa's larger pizza chains through a predominantly franchised operating model. The brand competes in the mass-market quick-service restaurant segment. Its proposition is centered on comparatively accessible prices, fast preparation, takeaway convenience, delivery, and family-oriented meal combinations. A particularly recognizable commercial feature is the sale of two pizzas together as a single value offer, a format that has helped distinguish Roman's Pizza from competitors that traditionally emphasize individual pizzas or broader restaurant menus. Stores may operate as takeaway units or include sit-down facilities, allowing the chain to serve shopping-center, neighborhood, and roadside locations. Roman's menu includes pizzas made with pan or traditional crusts, as well as pasta, pizza pies, garlic bread, salads, and combination meals. The range is designed to support both individual purchases and group occasions, with promotional bundles playing an important role in the brand's value positioning. The chain's customer appeal is consequently less dependent on premium ingredients or formal dining and more dependent on affordability, recognizable menu formats, convenience, and promotional frequency. Arthur Nicolakakis's son, Ioannis, also known as John or Yanis Nicolakakis, joined the business in 2001 and later became chief executive. During his leadership, Roman's Pizza expanded its store network and extended its presence beyond South Africa into neighboring Southern African markets, including Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. The company received industry recognition during the 2010s: John Nicolakakis was named Southern Africa's Young Business Leader of the Year at the 2015 All Africa Business Leaders Awards, and Roman's Pizza received the Franchise Association of South Africa's Brand Builder of the Year award in 2016. The company has used public-facing advertising that includes South African entertainers such as Barry Hilton and Alfred Ntombela. It has also attracted media attention through comparative product testing, franchise and corporate disputes, advertising-regulation matters, and criticism circulated on social media. These episodes have periodically placed questions about corporate governance, advertising claims, franchise standards, and operating practices alongside the brand's consumer-facing value message. As of 2024, the chain was reported to have more than 250 outlets across Southern Africa. Its international footprint remains regional rather than global, and South Africa continues to be its principal market. Roman's Pizza is therefore best understood as a private, Southern African quick-service franchise brand whose identity is tied to low prices, high-volume pizza sales, franchising, and broad accessibility.

Roman's Pizza was established in South Africa in 1993 by Arthur Nicolakakis. The business initially traded under the name Little Caesar's before changing its identity to Roman's Pizza in 2002. The rebranding created the name under which the chain subsequently developed its national and regional franchise presence. Ioannis Nicolakakis, Arthur's son, joined the business in 2001. He later became chief executive and was associated with the company's expansion, operational development, and increased visibility in the Southern African quick-service restaurant market. Roman's Pizza used franchising as its principal growth mechanism, enabling the brand to establish outlets in a range of retail and neighborhood settings while maintaining a standardized pizza-focused offer. Store formats included takeaway locations and units with sit-down seating. The company's commercial model emphasized affordability and speed. Rather than positioning itself primarily as a premium Italian restaurant, Roman's Pizza built its identity around accessible prices, large-volume service, delivery, and promotional bundles. Its two-pizza value proposition became one of its most recognizable selling features. The menu broadened the core pizza offer with pasta, pizza pies, garlic bread, salads, and combination meals, giving franchisees products suitable for individual customers, families, and group orders. During the 2010s, the brand received recognition in South African business and franchising circles. Ioannis Nicolakakis was named Young Business Leader of the Year for Southern Africa at the 2015 All Africa Business Leaders Awards. In 2016, Roman's Pizza received the Franchise Association of South Africa's Brand Builder of the Year award. The chain also invested in mainstream advertising and used South African personalities, including Barry Hilton and Alfred Ntombela, in promotional campaigns. Roman's Pizza expanded outside South Africa into nearby Southern African countries, including Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. By 2024, reference coverage described the business as having more than 250 outlets across Southern Africa. Its Zambian stores were reported to have closed in early 2024, while South Africa remained the central market and operating base. The brand's history also includes periods of scrutiny. Advertising-regulation proceedings concerned references to Famous Brands' Hot or Not Dot campaign or product. A separate dispute involved a settlement related to franchise compliance with religious dietary guidelines. In 2018, publication of a recording attributed to Ioannis Nicolakakis prompted criticism over remarks concerning competitors. In 2023, Roman's Pizza and Nicolakakis were reported to have lost a High Court case brought in connection with former chief operating officer Basil Kassimatis, with allegations of corporate bullying associated with the dispute. In 2024, social-media users accused the business of cleaning and reusing pizza boxes, although the available material does not establish whether the allegation was substantiated. These controversies sit alongside the chain's continued emphasis on value, convenience, franchising, and broad consumer reach.

• 2024

  Reported regional network exceeded 250 outlets

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  Reference coverage stated that the company operated more than 250 outlets across Southern Africa.

• 2024

  Zambian stores closed

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  All Roman's Pizza stores in Zambia were reported to have shut down in early 2024.

• 2023

  High Court case involving former COO

  Roman's Pizza and Ioannis Nicolakakis were reported to have lost a High Court case involving former COO Basil Kassimatis.

• 2019

  Reported leadership transition period began

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  Reference material places the removal of Ioannis Nicolakakis as chief executive and the appointment of Bonnie Cooper within the 2019–2022 period.

• 2016

  Franchise industry recognition

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  Roman's Pizza received the Brand Builder of the Year award from the Franchise Association of South Africa.

• 2015

  Young Business Leader recognition

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  Ioannis Nicolakakis received the Southern Africa Young Business Leader of the Year award at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards.

• 2002

  Rebranded as Roman's Pizza

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  The business changed its trading name from Little Caesar's to Roman's Pizza.

• 2001

  Ioannis Nicolakakis joined the business

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  Arthur Nicolakakis's son Ioannis joined the company, later taking a senior leadership role.

• 1993

  Business established

  [1]Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org

  Arthur Nicolakakis established the business in South Africa under the name Little Caesar's.

Mass-market, value-oriented quick-service pizza with fast takeaway and delivery convenience.

• Core food · 1993

  Pizza

  Roman's Pizza's principal product line includes pizzas prepared with a choice of pan or traditional crust. The range supports individual orders, family meals, delivery, and promotional bundles. The brand's reputation is strongly associated with accessible pricing and offers that combine two pizzas, making pizza the central vehicle for its value-oriented positioning.

• Main meal

  Pasta

  Pasta provides a non-pizza main-meal option within the chain's quick-service menu. It broadens the addressable customer base and gives groups with different preferences an alternative to the core pizza range.

• Handheld meal

  Pizza pies

  Pizza pies extend the brand's core flavor profile into a portable, handheld format. They are suited to takeaway occasions and provide a smaller or more convenient alternative to a full pizza order.

• Side dish

  Garlic bread

  Garlic bread is offered as a side or accompaniment to pizza and combination meals, supporting group ordering and increasing the breadth of the casual takeaway menu.

• Side dish

  Salads

  Salads provide a lighter accompaniment within the otherwise indulgent pizza and quick-service menu. They also allow mixed groups to assemble meals with a broader range of side choices.

• Meal bundle

  Combo meals

  Combo offerings package pizzas or other menu items with sides and accompaniments. They reinforce Roman's Pizza's family and group-meal orientation while making the chain's value proposition easier to communicate through promotions.

• 2024

  Allegations about cleaning and reusing pizza boxes

  Social-media users accused Roman's Pizza of cleaning and reusing pizza boxes. The available reference material records the allegation but does not establish whether it was substantiated or describe a definitive regulatory finding.

• 2023

  Corporate dispute involving former COO

  Roman's Pizza and Ioannis Nicolakakis reportedly lost a High Court case involving former chief operating officer Basil Kassimatis. The dispute was associated in reference coverage with allegations of corporate bullying.

• 2019

  Environmental-damage allegations involving a cheese supplier

  A business linked to Ioannis Nicolakakis and supplying cheese to Roman's Pizza was reportedly accused of environmental damage. The available material does not establish the legal or factual outcome of those allegations.

• 2018

  Published recording of executive remarks

  HuffPost South Africa published a recording attributed to Ioannis Nicolakakis containing remarks about competing restaurant chains. The publication led to criticism concerning the tone and content of the comments.

• 2016

  Advertising Standards Authority ruling

  The Advertising Standards Authority ruled against Roman's Pizza over references in advertising to Famous Brands' Hot or Not Dot campaign or product.

• 2015

  Dietary-guideline franchise complaint

  Roman's Pizza reportedly paid R200,000 to settle a complaint concerning franchise compliance with religious dietary guidelines. The available material does not provide further details about the individual franchise or the settlement terms.

Read more

• Barry Hilton advertising campaign

  South Africa

  Roman's Pizza used South African comedian and public figure Barry Hilton in advertising supporting the brand's mainstream, accessible consumer positioning.

  Source
• Alfred Ntombela advertising campaign

  South Africa

  The brand also featured South African actor and comedian Alfred Ntombela in advertising, using recognizable local entertainment personalities to broaden consumer appeal.

  Source

• 2024

  Closed Zambian storesOther

  Background

  Roman's Pizza had operated in Zambia as part of its regional Southern African expansion.

  Action taken

  All Roman's Pizza stores in Zambia were reported to have been shut down in early 2024.

  Aftermath

  The reported closure reduced the brand's operating footprint in that market; the reason for the decision is not established in the available material.

  Source

• 2002

  Adopted the Roman's Pizza nameStrategy

  Background

  The business had originally traded under the name Little Caesar's since its establishment in 1993.

  Action taken

  It rebranded as Roman's Pizza, creating the identity used for subsequent franchise expansion.

  Aftermath

  The Roman's Pizza name became the basis of the chain's South African and regional market presence.

  Source

• Expanded through franchising and regional marketsStrategy

  Background

  Roman's Pizza sought to grow beyond its South African base while maintaining a value-oriented quick-service format.

  Action taken

  The company used franchised takeaway and sit-down stores and entered neighboring markets including Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia.

  Aftermath

  By 2024, the chain was reported to have more than 250 outlets across Southern Africa, although its Zambian stores were also reported to have closed that year.

  Source

1. 1Roman's Pizzaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Roman's Pizza official websiteromanspizza.co.za