Coffee plays a meaningful role in everyday life across South Africa. It’s a daily ritual where mornings begin, conversations unfold, and communities come together. From independent neighbourhood cafés to fast-growing franchises, coffee businesses are showing their resilience in a challenging economic climate.

The 2026 Coffee Magazine Awards was a moment to celebrate the businesses, entrepreneurs, baristas behind our country’s thriving coffee scene. Yoco was proud to be one of the main sponsors and join in the opportunity to celebrate excellence, connect with our independent business community, and engage with potential new partners across the coffee ecosystem.

“From the moment we stepped in, it felt less like a formal awards evening and more like a family reunion of over-achievers, Roasters, baristas, technicians, start-ups, café owners and innovators were all under one roof — deeply invested in each other’s success.”

Natasha Fourie, Head of Brand Media & Engagement at Yoco.

Bianca Muratu, Senior Key Account Manager at Yoco, echoed this and highlighted how the community’s strength stands out above everything else.

“The South African coffee community is incredibly interconnected and vibrant. There was a real sense of pride and warmth in the room, not just around individual wins, but around growing together.”

Attendees at the Coffee Magazine Awards 2026. Image courtesy of Coffee Magazine

Award-Winning coffee businesses leading the way

The 2026 Coffee Magazine Awards highlighted just how much of the industry’s momentum is being driven by ambitious, independently owned businesses.

Across categories, cafés and roasteries recognised on the night demonstrated what’s possible when quality, community, and consistency come together.

Best New Café  Presented by Kirsty Reid of Red Espresso Accepted by Antony Sifiso of  Here. Image courtesy of Coffee Magazine

Key highlights from the evening included:

• 82% of overall award winners were Yoco independent businesses

• 100% of “Best New Café” nominees were Yoco independent businesses  — signalling where innovation in the industry is emerging

• All nominees for “Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year” were Yoco independent businesses, with Kohi by Ifuku taking home the award

• The Café Community Award went to Holiday Coffee, proudly representing coffee excellence in Gqeberha

• 88% of “Coffee Team of the Year” nominees were Yoco independent businesses, with Seam Coffee winning the category

• 86% of “Barista of the Year” nominees worked at Yoco-powered businesses

One of the standout moments of the evening was Plato being named Franchise of the Year. After an exceptional year of growth, which included opening 52 new stores, the award recognised the operational discipline and consistency behind their expansion. Yoco is proud to be partnering with Plato on this journey.

The team from Plato [winner of Franchise of the Year], image courtesy of Coffee Magazine

Why coffee businesses matter

South African Coffee culture is about more than the product itself. It’s an ecosystem of owners, teams, suppliers, and customers who all play a role in keeping local businesses alive and creating jobs. That’s reflected in coffee shops and cafes leading the way for daily and weekly dining across all types of establishments. 

That popularity is contributing to sustainable growth for coffee businesses, which increases the longer they’re open. Coffee shops that have been operating for more than 5 years average 60% growth, significantly higher than the typical restaurant business. 

South African coffee shops are also showing strong staying power. About 77% have been trading for over 2 years, and 43% are still in business after 5, both well above the industry norm. 

Few places reflect this momentum as clearly as the Western Cape, where food and beverage independent businesses earn 24% more revenue than Gauteng, despite having 31% fewer stores. 

Why coffee matters to Yoco

At Yoco, we work with coffee businesses at every stage of their journey. From first-time café owners opening their doors, to teams navigating busy peak hours, to franchises scaling across cities, we see firsthand what it takes to build something sustainable.

Best New Roastery Presented by Bianca Muratu of Yoco to winner Earl Riffel from  Upper Room Coffee Roasters. Image courtesy of Coffee Magazine.

Supporting the coffee industry isn’t just about integrated payments and point of sale systems. It’s about backing people who care deeply about their craft, their teams, and their communities. That includes giving them tools that help the day-to-day run smoothly so they can focus on what matters most – making world class coffee. Seeing so many Yoco independent businesses recognised for their excellence reinforced why we do what we do.

Being part of the Coffee Magazine Awards is one way we show up for this industry, celebrate its successes, and continue learning from the people powering it. 

We are proud to support this industry and excited to continue growing alongside the people who power it.

Looking ahead

The Coffee Magazine Awards offered a moment to recognise the resilience, creativity, and ambition that define South Africa’s coffee industry.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, and thank you to Coffee Magazine, the organisers, and everyone contributing to a coffee culture that continues to grow and bring people together.

View the full list of winners here: https://magazine.coffee/blog/17/7058/coffee-magazine-awards-2025-and-the-winners-are