South Africa, March 17 -- Romans behind complaint

The decision, handed down on 13 March 2026, follows a complaint by Roman's Pizza and marks a continuation of an earlier ruling in December 2025, where the claim was first found to be unsubstantiated.

At the heart of the dispute is a simple but sticky question: what actually makes something "Mzansi's fave"? According to the ARB, not what Debonairs submitted.

In its latest effort, Debonairs-owned by Famous Brands-provided a mix of survey data, research documents, and credentials linked to Plus 94 Research, a SAMRA-accredited entity. But the Directorate found a crucial ingredient missing: clear, expert verification that the data actually proves the claim being made.

Put differently, being...