Scooters Pizza Returns: Mzansi’s Beloved Pizza Chain Sparks Nostalgia

by Zaghrah Anthony

The Return of an Icon

If you grew up in South Africa during the 2000s, chances are the smell of melted cheese and garlic rolls from Scooters Pizza is permanently etched in your memory. After nearly a decade of absence, the chain has made its triumphant return, opening a rebranded store on 21 October in Melville, Johannesburg. Fans across Mzansi are celebrating a taste of their youth, one slice at a time.

@thulanidube It’s coming back baby🍕 @Scooters Pizza #satiktok #scooterspizza #itsback #wewillbethere ♬ original sound – Thulani dube

A Pizza Legacy

Scooters Pizza first launched in 2000 under Carlo Gonzaga, then CEO of Taste Holdings, and quickly became a household name. Their 39-minute delivery promise—or your pizza was free—made waiting for dinner feel like a high-stakes game. By 2006, over 100 stores dotted the country, from bustling cities to sleepy suburbs.

But the brand’s golden era ended when Taste Holdings partnered with Domino’s Pizza. Stores were gradually rebranded, and by 2016, Scooters Pizza had disappeared from the landscape, leaving only memories of cheesy goodness and weekend rituals.

Social Media Nostalgia Explosion

The announcement of Scooters’ comeback triggered a flood of online reactions. Millennials and Gen Z alike shared memories of Friday nights spent at Mr Video, arguing over which movie to rent, and grabbing a slice—or three—of their favourite pizza.

@🫧🧿 Tayla 🇿🇦 summed it up perfectly:
“The nostalgia of getting Scooters pizza and going to Mr. Video on a Friday night 😭😭.”

Comments poured in about thick bases, chicken mayo pizzas, garlic rolls, and even Scooters’ seafood option, Something Fishy, which remains a fan favourite decades later.

More Than Just Pizza

Scooters Pizza wasn’t just about food—it was part of the South African childhood experience. Families, friends, and siblings would pile into cars, debates over which pizza toppings to order were fierce, and the aroma of garlic rolls wafted through living rooms long after dinner. It was comfort food, social bonding, and weekend ritual all in one.

With the Melville store reopening, Scooters is not just serving pizza; it’s reigniting memories and reconnecting communities. Fans are hoping that old favourites return, along with the 39-minute delivery dare that once made the brand so iconic.

A Slice of the Future

The new Scooters Pizza promises to blend nostalgia with modern touches, offering fans a chance to relive childhood Saturday nights while introducing the brand to a new generation. For many, it’s not just pizza—it’s a portal back to simpler times, when weekend plans were made of movies, laughter, and cheese-filled slices.

As Mzansi lines up for their first taste of the comeback, one thing is clear: Scooters Pizza isn’t just back—it’s back in the hearts of an entire generation.

Source: IOL

Featured Image: X{@gakpotip}