Business

Spur and RocoMamas owner launches new restaurant in South Africa – Photos

Malcolm Libera

 ·20 Aug 2026

Spur Corporation introduced a new restaurant, Doppio Bistrot, at the Nine Yards Precinct in Parktown North, Rosebank, in March 2026.

The new restaurant is being operated by Biscotti Trading (Pty) Ltd, a majority-owned indirect subsidiary in which Spur Corporation has a 60% effective interest.

The launch comes as the group described a “strategy of divesting from retail company-owned stores where appropriate” in its 2026 annual financial report.

Doppio Bistrot represents a new corporate-backed investment, with Spur Corporation funding the complete fit-out of the restaurant and entering into new property lease agreements for the Nine Yards site.

Doppio Bistrot is currently a single-site pilot concept. It is distinct from the established Doppio Zero franchise business, which has six company-owned stores alongside a larger franchised footprint.

While the annual report does not provide a detailed comparison of the menus, the new concept is positioned differently from the traditional Doppio Zero restaurants.

Doppio Zero originated in Greenside in 2002 as a local bakery before developing into a Mediterranean restaurant.

Over time, it became known for its broad menu and busy, high-energy environment, with restaurants operating in shopping centres and other established commercial locations.

Doppio Bistrot takes a more intimate approach. The restaurant occupies the restored former home of Italian-born South African artist Giuseppe Cattaneo at the Nine Yards precinct.

The adaptive-reuse setting retains original structural features, including historic walls and fireplaces, and forms part of a garden-led development.

The founders have described the concept as a “relaxed, lifestyle-focused space”, designed to provide more of a “city escape” than the conventional Doppio Zero experience.

Its offering is also intended to be more curated, with an “uncomplicated bistro experience” focused on fresh, seasonal dishes and social dining.

It keeps some familiar Doppio favourites, including pizzas and pastas, but is aimed more at daytime brunches and casual evening gatherings than the extensive menu and faster pace associated with the established brand.

Spur Corp. continues footprint expansion

The launch comes against a backdrop of continued expansion across Spur Corporation’s wider restaurant portfolio.

The group increased its global restaurant footprint from 724 outlets to 751 during the 2026 financial year, a net increase of 27 restaurants.

It opened 52 restaurants, including 42 in South Africa and 10 internationally, while 18 outlets were permanently closed.

Spur Steak Ranches increased its footprint from 347 to 358 restaurants, while Panarottis grew from 139 to 157 and RocoMamas from 112 to 115. Speciality Brands increased from 80 to 81 stores, while John Dory’s declined from 46 to 40.

The group also sold its entire 62.37% interest in Nikos Franchise, removing the seven-store brand from its portfolio.

Despite the competitive trading environment, total franchised restaurant sales increased 6.9% to R12.29 billion, with Panarottis sales rising 16.3% and RocoMamas increasing 7.6%. Group revenue climbed 8.5% to R4.19 billion.

Cash generated from operations rose 5.5% to R488.6 million, while operating profit before working capital changes increased 8.3% to R478.5 million.

Reported profit before tax, however, fell 19.4% to R323.6 million, while headline earnings per share dropped 38.4% to 209.32 cents.

Spur Corporation said this was largely due to a R129.5 million non-trading litigation provision related to the GPS Foods legal dispute.

Excluding the provision, adjusted profit before tax increased 12.8% to R453.1 million. The board also increased the total dividend by 9% to 326 cents per share, compared with 299 cents in 2025.

*Adjusted metrics exclude the one-off, non-trading litigation provision of R129.5 million recognised for the GPS Foods legal dispute.

Photos of Doppio Bistrot