Taste Holdings: Carlo GonzagaA pizza takeaway concept formed the base for a consumer brand franchise holding company launched in 2005. Built on formula-driven, quick service restaurant brands, Taste Holdings listed on the AltX in 2006, and used the listing to grow its two existing brands and acquire a new retail brand.
Carlo Gonzaga with his father, Luigi, first started in the franchise business as Debonairs Pizza franchisees. They later sold their stores and created the Scooters Pizza brand, opening their first Scooters outlet in 2000. Today, Scooters is the number two pizza franchise in South Africa based on the number of outlets. Maxis, their other franchise, has gone from strength to strength since its acquisition in 2005 from the brand founder. Last year the company bought NWJ Holdings, the largest franchised retail jewellery chain in the country. Taste’s 2009 revenue increased 303% to R136,3 million.