Restaurant India News: Varun Beverages Completes R2.1 Billion Twizza Acquisition to Boost Africa Hospitality Supply

Standard Bank has confirmed the completion of a R2.1 billion transaction after securing all regulatory clearances, formalising the transfer of beverage manufacturer Twizza to The Beverage Company, the South African arm of Varun Beverages.

The deal concludes a process first disclosed in December 2025, when Varun Beverages approved an all-cash acquisition aimed at expanding its presence across African markets. The company, known as the largest bottling partner of PepsiCo outside the United States, has been shifting focus toward international geographies to support growth, particularly as domestic volumes in India have been affected by weather-related disruptions.

The acquisition strengthens Varun’s supply and distribution capabilities in Southern Africa, a region where hotels, quick-service restaurants, and catering businesses rely heavily on consistent beverage sourcing. International operations, especially in Africa, have already contributed to revenue growth and margin stability for the company.

The transaction, originally expected to close by June 2026 pending approvals in South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini, is now complete. As part of the deal, Varun Beverages gains control of Twizza’s production facilities in Cape Town, Middelburg, and Komani, along with its established distribution network across Southern Africa.

Twizza will operate under BevCo and be integrated into Varun’s existing African operations, which include markets such as Morocco, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa. This expanded footprint is expected to improve last-mile delivery and product availability for hospitality operators across these regions.

Founded in 2003 by entrepreneur Ken Clark, Twizza has grown from a regional operation into a recognised player in South Africa’s beverage market, focusing on affordable non-alcoholic drink offerings. Its portfolio includes carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and functional beverages, with exports reaching neighbouring markets such as Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, and Botswana.

For the financial year ending June 2025, Twizza reported revenue of R1.689 billion ($113 million) and sales volumes of approximately 71 million cases, highlighting its scale within the regional beverage ecosystem—an important factor for institutional buyers in the hospitality sector.

“From our beginnings in Queenstown to becoming a recognised player in South Africa’s beverage market, our focus has always been on delivering affordable, quality products to our customers. Under Bevco’s ownership, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Varun, the business is well positioned to scale further, access new capabilities, and continue serving consumers with the same commitment, while unlocking value for shareholders,” said Clark, Founder, Twizza.

Following the completion of the deal, Clark and his family will exit ownership of the business, marking a transition in leadership as Twizza becomes part of Varun Beverages’ broader international operations.