About Hennie’s Franchise – The Origin Story of a South African Favourite

It started the way most legendary South African ideas do — around a bar, with a couple of mates, and a lot of banter. No boardroom. No business plan. Just a few mates in Moreleta Park who were tired of being told what to do. They wanted a place where the rules were their own, where everyone was welcome. Where the dop was cold, the rugby always had sound, and no one looked at you funny for ordering a burger with a side of “extra sauce, asseblief.” So, they built it.

The Original Hennie’s

The first Hennie’s wasn’t designed by consultants — it was designed by gevoel. A proper, local watering hole with a big, round bar in the middle so no one got left out. The original chairs still sit there today, each one engraved with the name of one of the founders. It wasn’t just a restaurant. It was a kuierplek. The kind of spot where the music’s lekker, the staff know your name, and the specials are written on the wall — not printed in some overpriced corporate menu.

What started as a wild idea, quickly became a real place — with real people, real stories, and a real vibe. The build itself was a labour of love. The crew didn’t just hire someone to do the job — they were the job. Every bar stool, every corner, every element was thought out over late-night laughs and plenty of planning beers.

As soon as the doors opened, word spread. Locals didn’t just come for the food — they came for the atmosphere. The bar always felt full, even on a quiet Monday. Birthdays, after-work drinks, first dates, last rounds — Hennie’s became the backdrop to countless memories. It had that rare magic: people showed up once and kept coming back, dragging their friends along with a single sentence: “Jy móét hierdie plek sien.”

It wasn’t long before the Moreleta Hennie’s wasn’t just a place to go — it was the place to be. A landmark of laughter, dops, and unforgettable nights out.

So... Who Is Hennie?

The name might make you think it’s just another oke behind the bar — and in a way, you’d be right. Hennie was the beloved bull terrier of Rikus de Beer (Radioraps), one of the founders, and the name was no accident. It was a nod to a dog with a big personality and an even bigger appetite for mischief. Tying the brand to Hennie was both personal and strategic — it gave the place a face, a name, and a bit of that “local legend” flair before the doors even opened. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to grab a drink at a place named after a dog with more character than the tannie selling doilies at a bazaar.

To this day, people still ask if Hennie’s is pet-friendly. Short answer? No. Long answer? Unless your dog drinks beer, yells at the ref, and orders the burger special, probably not. Look, it’s not that we don’t love pets — we do. Hennie, the dog, is literally the inspiration behind our name. But things get complicated. There’s red tape, health regulations, and the reality that not everyone at the table next to you is going to appreciate a Staffie sniffing their ribs. Some folks have allergies. Others have a moerse phobia of dogs. And if you think you’re loud during a Bok game, wait until someone’s Yorkie loses its mind over the national anthem. So for now, we keep it simple: Leave the pets at home. Bring the gees instead.

The Spirit of The Rules

At Hennie’s, we don’t believe in stiff policies or fine print. We believe in house rules — the kind that make sense after a few dops and a lot of laughs.

Don’t be a DS.** (If you don’t know what this means, ask someone next time you’re at Hennies)
Always have fun.
Don’t let Rule #2 make you break Rule #1.
Always drink with your left hand (Buffalo rules apply).
Whistle if you need service.
Respect the bark. If someone barks, you bark back.
Don’t ring the bell — unless you’re buying the whole place a round.
Stand up and show respect during the South African or Namibian national anthem.
Tip your waiter or barman. (See Rule #1.)
You may forget some of the rules — but never Rule #1 or Rule #7.

At Hennie’s, we don’t believe in stiff policies or fine print. We believe in house rules — the kind that make sense after a few dops and a lot of laughs.

The rules aren’t there to ruin your fun — they’re there to make it fun. They create connection, laughs, and just the right amount of mischief to keep the night interesting. So take a deep breath, drink left-handed, and whatever you do... don’t forget Rule #1.

Word Spread Fast

There was no fancy launch campaign. No big agency rollouts or PR stunts. Just one very familiar face — Rikus de Beer, better known to South Africans as Radio Raps. With his razor-sharp humour, massive online following, and iconic one-liners, Rikus was already a household name. So when word got out that die ou van Radio Raps had opened a restaurant with his mates, people came flocking — not just from Pretoria, but from all over the country. They came for Rikus, but they stayed because of Hennie’s. The food slapped. The vibe was unmatched. And the rules? They made people feel like part of the story from the first round.

Soon, what started as a single hangout spot in Moreleta Park began spreading — first to neighbouring areas, and then across South Africa. Each new branch carried the same gees as the original: lekker service, massive portions, cold drinks, and the feeling that you’ve been coming there for years. And of course, every location still serves vibe with a side of braaibroodjie.

Why South Africa Fell in Love

South Africans don’t just fall in love with food — they fall in love with feeling. And Hennie’s gives you that in every bite, every sip, and every single moment spent under its roof. It’s not just the burgers or the bar. It’s the atmosphere — that unfiltered, proudly local energy that wraps around you the moment you walk in. Hennie’s quickly became one of the country’s favourite places to watch the Springboks. Whether it’s the World Cup, the Rugby Championship, or just a friendly, you’ll find Hennie’s packed wall-to-wall with fans, faces painted, flags waving, and voices hoarse by halftime.

And yes — there’s even a house rule for it: Rule #8 – Always stand up & respect the National Anthem of South Africa or Namibia. The moment Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika starts playing, everything else stops. Glasses go down. Hats come off. And the whole place stands tall. It’s goosebumps, every single time.

That kind of gees doesn’t go unnoticed. Hennie’s has been voted a Beeld Readers' Choice Winner for the past five years — proof that what started as a single spot in Pretoria has grown into something South Africans genuinely love. It’s where strangers become teammates, where dops are cheered to the sound of “oi oi oi!”, and where the only thing louder than the rugby is the laughter. You don’t just go to Hennie’s. You belong at Hennie’s.

The Legacy Continues

If you’re searching for the real story about Hennie’s restaurant, this is it: A bunch of mates, a dog with attitude, and one simple idea — maak dit lekker. That idea turned into the best sports bar in South Africa, and that lives in the hearts of our patrons across the country. And it’s not slowing down.

So next time you’re looking for a place that feels like home (with better ribs and cold beer), you know where to go. Jy weet mos.