South African Coffee Company Hits Major Milestone With New Stores Coming.
Platō Coffee has reached 100 stores across South Africa, with the company expanding its store base, launching a new academy and releasing the first-ever rewards scheme.
Started by two brothers, Stephan and Petrus Bredell, Platō now has 100 stores across South Africa.
“It’s a celebration of every partner, franchisee, and client who believed in the vision, showed up, poured a cup, and helped us build something meaningful,” said Stephan on LinkedIn.
“From the very beginning, this has never been just about coffee. It’s been about connection, consistency, and creating spaces people love coming back to.”
The company plans to expand to 150 stores by the end of 2025 and employs over 500 people.
Platō Coffee started in December 2019, when Stephan, who launched Moonshot Cafe, realised the strong profit margins of coffee and pitched the idea of a new venture to Petrus.
They opened their first shop, a container in Centurion, and began trading under an informal licence. They took advantage of the higher foot traffic during the relaxed COVID-19 lockdown periods.
Initially, Petrus ran most of the operations, while Stephan continued working in corporate. “If it weren’t for him, Platō wouldn’t have been able to operate in the beginning,” said Stephan, who is the CEO.
They started opening new shops across the nation, focusing on areas that larger coffee chains tend to overlook, including lifestyle centres and smaller towns.
The company quickly built a loyal customer base and created a recognisable brand without relying heavily on advertising. Due to the high quality of coffee, Platō has become a favourite in cities as well.
Platō Coffee co-founders Stephan (left) and Petrus (right) Bredell.
On top of its store expansion plans, the company is also launching a new academy on Canterbury Street in District Six, Cape Town.
Stephan Bredell said that the academy will serve as a training centre for franchise partners and baristas and be accessible to the public.
The academy will offer barista courses, coffee workshops, and practical training for people at all skill levels.
“From foundational barista training to latte art workshops and sensory experiences, each session is crafted to elevate your understanding and appreciation of coffee,” said Bredell.
The academy will also feature a showroom for professional coffee equipment and serve as a meeting point for professionals and casual coffee fans.
Platō was also the first company in South Africa to roll out Yoyo’s bank card-linked loyalty system.
Customers automatically earn rewards every time they tap to pay, with no other card necessary. Customers will also earn 5% cashback, reflected in their Plato app.
This cashback can be used at any Platō store in South Africa. Unregistered users are invited via SMS to download the App and unlock any cashback accumulated.
Yoyo’s platform integrates with Table by Yoco, the point-of-sale and payments solution across all Platō stores.
Rewards are embedded in the payment process, with customers needing to pay with their card or smart wallet on the payment terminal.
