Scooters Pizza and Bimbo’s: A Revival in South Africa’s Fast-Food Scene

In an exciting move for the fast-food sector, Scooters Pizza and Bimbo’s are gearing up to launch new outlets across South Africa, signaling a noteworthy comeback for these once-popular brands. Both chains have experienced setbacks in the highly competitive Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market but are now being revitalized under the leadership of franchise expert, Juan Engelbrecht.

The Legacy of Scooters Pizza

Scooters Pizza was originally established in 2000 by the Gonzaga family, promising speedy delivery of pizzas within 39 minutes, or your order was free. By 2010, the brand had expanded significantly, boasting 100 locations nationwide. However, the rapid rise of Domino’s stores—following a master franchise agreement signed by parent company Taste Holdings—led to the closure of many Scooters outlets as they were rebranded to accommodate Domino’s.

This shift contributed to the decline of the Scooters brand. After a series of failed attempts to secure a sustainable buyer for Domino’s South Africa, Taste Holdings audited its food division and ultimately liquidated it in March 2020. Consequently, 55 Scooters locations were shuttered. Fortunately, Engelbrecht made a bold move to resurrect the brand last year, restarting operations with a new location in Melville, Johannesburg, in October 2025.

Engelbrecht, a seasoned entrepreneur who trained at Scooters in Gauteng before becoming the Master Franchise Holder in Cape Town, reports that the response to the brand’s revival has exceeded expectations, with over 1,000 franchise inquiries since its reintroduction.

Expansion Plans for Scooters

Several new Scooters outlets are set to launch shortly, adding to the existing locations in Melville, Rosebank, and Florentia in Gauteng. The upcoming openings include:

• Waverley, Pretoria – opened earlier this week on 18 March
• Elspark, Germiston – 26 March
• Edenvale, Ekurhuleni – 7 April
• Dalview, Brakpan – 14 April
• Phalaborwa, Limpopo – 28/29 April

Moreover, Engelbrecht anticipates launching four new locations in the Western Cape, specifically in Durbanville, Paarl, N1 City, and Kenilworth. A potential site in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, is also being considered, although the focus remains on Gauteng for the time being.

Bimbo’s: A New Chapter

In addition to revitalizing Scooters, Engelbrecht has also acquired the trademark for Bimbo’s as of November 2025. The inaugural Bimbo’s outlet is set to open in Waverley, Pretoria, on March 20, with a subsequent outlet in Tierpoort anticipated soon.

Bimbo’s has a long history dating back to its inception in 1970, primarily serving chicken and burgers. The brand was particularly noted for its 24-hour service, making it a hot spot for late-night diners. In 2005, Famous Brands acquired over 30 Bimbo’s locations, converting them into other popular chains like Steers. Despite numerous changes, Bimbo’s struggled to maintain its relevance, leading to its dwindling presence in the market.

Engelbrecht’s ambition to revive Bimbo’s mirrors the efforts he’s made with Scooters, indicating a strategic commitment to re-establishing both brands as formidable players in South Africa’s fast-food landscape.

Visual Insights into the Revival

This article has been updated