Booming South African Coffee Franchise Goes International.
Popular South African specialty-roaster and café group Platō Coffee has cracked its first international expansion with a store in Zimbabwe.
The brand is also exploring store launches in Europe and the Middle East. Image: Platō Coffee/ Facebook
South African coffee brand Platō Coffee is on a remarkable growth trajectory – recently celebrating 100 stores nationwide and now pouring its first cups beyond SA’s borders with a new café in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The brand is also eyeing launches in Europe and the Middle East, indicating that this debut isn’t just a one-off but part of a broader ambition to become an African coffee leader.
Platō Coffee – a brief history
Co-founded by brothers Stephan and Petrus Bredell in 2019, Platō began as a humble café in a container in Gauteng.
Today, it employs more than 500 people and has set its sights on reaching 150 stores by the end of 2025.
“What started as one tiny container in Irene is now crossing borders,” Stephan wrote. “We’re beyond excited to announce our first international Platō, opening soon in Harare, Zimbabwe!”
“Same Platō energy. Same community spirit. Same perfectly sculpted coffee – now poured a little further north.”
Regional expansion
What sets Platō apart is its strategy of opening in smaller towns and lifestyle centres often overlooked by larger coffee chains.
This community-focused approach helped it build a loyal following and a recognisable brand without heavy advertising.
Now, Platō is taking its formula across the border. Instead of global coffee giants coming to Africa, Platō is an example of a home-grown brand moving outwards.
Its first international café is located at the busy Newlands Shopping Centre (178 Enterprise Road) in Harare.
For Zimbabwean coffee-lovers, the arrival means more variety and “third-wave” café culture – Espresso-based drinks, artisan roasts, and an up-market café setting.