How one of South Africa’s most popular restaurant groups is creating opportunities, here and abroad

At the start of 2025, a LinkedIn post by Chris Dalton, an associate professor at Henley Business School, sparked a wave of pride among South Africans, both here and abroad. The post highlighted how the Battersea branch of tashas in London had captured the South African spirit, making expats and business travellers feel at home.

Comments under the post highlighted similar stories in other parts of the world and were full of praise for the employees at the tashas café they had visited. Their anecdotes are hardly surprising when you speak about the importance of investing in people with founder and CEO of Tashas Group Natasha Sideris.

“Love and respect are at the core of everything we do. tashas is all about its people, and we view ourselves as one big family, eager to see each other grow and succeed. We are just as dedicated to the success of our team members as we are to the success of the brand,” she says.

Since launching the first tashas in 2005, Sideris and her team have grown the brand into an internationally recognised name with locations across South Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and most recently, the United Kingdom. Not only that, Tashas Group has another 10 concepts under its umbrella and is expanding its footprint rapidly. They currently have 39 locations across four countries.

Training and career growth

 The Group is committed to hands-on training and the international expansion has meant introducing innovative ways to upskill staff.

“In the UAE and London, where technology is more accessible, we’ve launched training apps that allow staff to follow structured programs, refining their skills in a dynamic and engaging way,” Sideris explains.

The company remains deeply invested in personal mentorship and organic career growth. Every month, the head office team conducts brand training sessions for all new employees that gives them an induction into all of the brands as well as the impending expansion plans.

“We share stories and stunning photos of our global footprint, and it’s always rewarding to see the excitement in our teams’ eyes when they realise the opportunities that exist for them.”

Franchisees play an active role in identifying ambitious team members who show potential. Likewise, the head office team is always on the lookout. “I believe in rewarding loyalty and dedication by offering those team members an opportunity to grow,” says Sideris.

A seamless transition to international careers

For employees who make the leap from South Africa to international locations, the journey is carefully managed to ensure they feel supported every step of the way.

Team members who move to Dubai are welcomed into a strong and supportive community, with nearly 55% of the tashas staff there originally from South Africa.

“This creates a sense of familiarity and belonging, as those who have already made the transition are always eager to help newcomers settle in – offering advice on finding a home and navigating everyday essentials like grocery shopping.”

New employees are provided with hotel accommodation upon arrival, giving them time to find a place of their own. They also receive a thoughtfully prepared starter package, complete with a local SIM card and other necessities to make their first few weeks abroad as smooth as possible.

When sending staff to the UK, Tashas Group went even further. Employees had to pass an English exam, required by the UK Government before applying for visas, so the company stepped in to provide after-hours English lessons and extra training to help them succeed.

“The small, thoughtful touches make all the difference,” says Sideris. “In London, for example, we knew our South African team members had never experienced such cold weather before, so we made sure they had warm clothing and scarves on arrival. These gestures, though simple, reflect the heart of who we are.”

Stories of success and transformation

The Group has nurtured countless careers over the years, and some of the most inspiring success stories have come from employees who started in entry-level roles and worked their way up to leadership positions.

Zanele Nkomo, for example started as a salad prep cook 20 years ago before moving into the head office team, where she trained staff and helped launch new restaurants. Her journey eventually took her to the UAE, where she is now a Senior Chef de Partie at one of the Group’s busiest concept stores, Avli by tashas.

Ellen Mangweni was part of Sideris’ very first team in Bedfordview. After years of working as a waitress, she moved to London to help open the Battersea branch, where she is now a senior manager.

Similarly, Precious Dube began as a sculler at Sideris’ first restaurant, Ninos, before moving to Dubai as a waitress. Today, she leads the team at Galleria as the General Manager of the first tashas that opened in Dubai.

Growth isn’t limited to international locations. Many employees have risen through the ranks to become leaders within South Africa. Enock Twaya started as a sculler and is now the General Manager of tashas Constantia Village. Siya Benghu started as a junior manager in Bryanston, climbed the ranks to General Manager before becoming a franchise partner. Today, he owns LXX, the newest addition to Tashas Group.

 A vision for the future

While Tashas Group has already created countless opportunities for career growth, the company is taking it a step further and are in discussions with schools regarding the offering of scholarship programmes in the future.

 “Our goal is to build meaningful relationships with schools and universities, creating scholarship programs not just for our staff but also for students who struggle to afford their fees,” says Sideris.

The Group is also strengthening its partnerships with suppliers who provide hospitality training, ensuring that students who complete these programs have real job opportunities waiting for them.

“Many of our team members, especially in the kitchens, have never had the opportunity to study,” says Sideris. “Some start without knowing how to hold a knife or even how to read or write. We want to change that by developing junior training platforms that allow us to send our staff to hospitality schools to complete certificates and improve their knowledge.”

Even at head office, the company is investing in growth. A new initiative allows employees to enrol in courses aligned with their roles or career aspirations, with the Group covering the cost. “It’s something close to my heart, and we’ve already seen great interest and traction,” says Sideris.

More than just a restaurant group

Tashas Group has always been about more than food—it’s about people, culture, and opportunities. By opening doors for South Africans to develop their careers, and gain international experience, the brand is proving that hospitality can be a powerful force for personal and professional transformation.

For many employees, a job at a tashas isn’t just about serving food – it’s about building a future. And as the brand continues to expand across the globe, that future is looking brighter than ever.

About Tashas Group

Tashas Group is an international hospitality company owned by Natasha Sideris, CEO & Founder. The first tashas opened in 2005 and the group now has a number of award-winning concepts under its umbrella all founded on three core pillars: beautiful food, stunning environments and engaging personal service. With 38 locations across eleven concepts in South Africa, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the first tashas opened in London in 2023.

Website: tashasgroup.com

Instagram: @tashasgroup

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tashas-group/

About tashas

Founded in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2005 by Natasha Sideris, there are 15 locations in South Africa, six in Dubai, and one in London. Built on the philosophy of beautiful food, stunning environments, and engaging personal service, tashas is a place where food and conversation go hand in hand, perfect for every meal. Consisting of fine ingredients and delicious food prepared fresh and made on order, each venue is unique in its own way, inspired by a place or a time reflected in both the menus and the design of each store, making each tashas experience unique.

Website: www.tashascafe.com

Instagram: @tashascafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tashascafe1