Scooters Pizza is back on South African streets after almost a decade away, relaunching on Tuesday, 21 October, with the revival of its hallmark 39-minute delivery guarantee and a new flagship in Melville, Johannesburg.
The comeback is being led by Juan Engelbrecht, one of the brand’s original expansion partners from the early 2000s. ‘People have always asked when Scooters would return. The appetite for a proudly South African pizza brand is still there, and we’re ready to deliver again, literally,’ he said.
Founded in 2000 by Carlo Gonzaga, Scooters built a loyal following with fast service, playful branding and a delivery pledge that occasionally meant free pizza for customers when drivers missed the window. By 2006, the chain had topped 100 stores, making it one of the fastest-growing pizza players in the country at the time.
The brand disappeared in 2014 when the holding company, Taste Holdings, pivoted to introducing Domino’s Pizza locally, converting many Scooters outlets in the process. Scooters Pizza was liquidated by 2016, and Domino’s later exited the South African market after failing to gain traction.
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The new chapter starts with an outlet at 4 Main Road, Melville, offering a mix of classic favourites and new additions. To mark the launch, Scooters is reinstating the 39-minute delivery promise and rolling out opening specials, including a 39-minute all-you-can-eat challenge.
Engelbrecht confirmed the business will again operate as a franchise, with applications already open. ‘We are starting small, but we see big potential. This is just the beginning of Scooters’ next chapter,’ he said.
For nostalgic fans, the relaunch is a throwback to a distinctly South African pizza story. For the market, it adds fresh competition to a delivery segment that has changed significantly in the past decade, shaped by apps, tighter delivery times and a taste for quick, affordable comfort food.
As Scooters takes these bold steps to reclaim its place in the culinary landscape, there are whispers of future expansions, with Cape Town potentially being next in line to indulge in the brand’s pizza delights.
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