The first News Cafe opened in 1995 in Hatfield, Pretoria, shortly after the lifting of sanctions against South Africa signalled the entry of overseas hospitality franchises such as McDonald's into the South African food service market.
In 1995, the first News Cafe opened in Hatfield, Pretoria, following the easing of sanctions against South Africa, which allowed foreign companies such as McDonald's to enter the South African food service industry.