SOUTH AFRICA – Kauai, a trailblazer in South Africa’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, celebrates a significant milestone with the opening of its 200th store at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront.
Since its inception in 1995, Kauai has been a pioneer in introducing ‘health-conscious smoothies, selling over 7 million annually’.
According to the restaurant, the brand’s commitment to making fresh, healthy, and natural food accessible has revolutionized the country’s fast-food landscape.
With a focus on promoting a healthy way of life, Kauai has achieved enduring popularity, selling more than 20 million healthy meals annually.
“Over 80% of Kauai’s menu, featuring over 100 superfoods, is customizable to align with evolving consumer dietary preferences, offering plant-based or protein-rich options.”
As the largest QSR health brand in South Africa, Kauai is also rapidly expanding globally in markets such as the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Thailand, Namibia, Botswana, and soon in Sydney, Australia.
Dean Kowarski, Global CEO of Virgin Active and Kauai and NU, attributed the success to South Africans seeking healthier food choices.
“The brand’s unique model focuses on providing quick, nutritionally dense, clean food with no wasted calories, setting it apart from other QSR chains,” he said.
“Kauai’s commitment to constant innovation, agility, and relevance to consumer insights and trends contributes to its success.”
Dean added that the 200th store opening in Cape Town is a proud moment for Kauai, emphasizing its dedication to health, wellness, and sustainability.
He noted that Kauai has been a pioneer in sustainability, introducing free-range eggs and chicken and grass-fed whey protein in the QSR market.
“The brand has a clear Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy with science-based targets and aims to achieve zero food waste and eliminate single-use plastics in its production process,” he added.
“Technology plays a crucial role in Kauai’s strategy, with significant investments in digital platforms to enhance the customer experience.”
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of being digitally accessible to tech-savvy consumers, offering features like ordering ahead, cashback rewards, subscriptions, tiered benefits, and gamification through the app.
“As Kauai marks the opening of its 200th South African store, the brand remains committed to its founding principles of providing fresh, healthy, and natural food. The journey reflects Kauai’s resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to changing lives for the better through wellness.”
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