According to Moneyweb, Spur Corporation is using its Doppio Zero brand, now the core of its ‘speciality brands’ unit, to launch three new trading formats that aim at markets where the group has previously had little presence.
The new formats are Doppio Caffè, Doppio Bistrot and Doppio Roam. Doppio Caffè has opened in captive locations such as a Mediclinic hospital in Sandton, an office park in Bryanston and a Marriott Protea Hotel in Sea Point. Doppio Bistrot, located in the Nine Yards development in Rosebank, offers a private-dining area and remains company-owned. Doppio Roam, described as a food-on-the-move or grab-and-go concept, debuted in Irene Village Mall and is run by an existing Doppio franchisee.
Spur CEO Val Nichas says the formats are designed to compete directly with Famous Brands’ Mugg & Bean outlets, which already operate in hospitals and office parks under its ‘On The Move’ stores. At the end of February 2026 Famous Brands reported 301 Mugg & Bean stores, while Doppio’s 38 outlets represent roughly eight percent of that scale, highlighting the growth gap Nichas hopes to close.
For small investors and prospective franchisees, the Doppio Roam model is pitched as a low-cost entry point. Nichas estimates the concept can be launched in a space as small as 50 square metres, requiring an investment of roughly R1.3 million to R1.8 million, a figure that could attract younger investors seeking a modest capital outlay.
The move comes as South Africa’s coffee-shop segment continues to expand, with chains such as Vida e Caffè, Seattle Coffee Company, Bootlegger Coffee Company and Platō Coffee adding to a crowded market. Nichas believes Doppio’s focus on breakfast, which accounts for half of its trade, and its flexible formats position it well to capture a share of this growth.
Spur’s broader financial picture remains strong. Headline earnings rose 19 percent to R9.5 billion in the six months to 31 August 2026, and the breakfast daypart, driven in part by Doppio, grew 8 percent year-on-year, though it still contributes only 11 percent of total restaurant sales.
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Spur’s Doppio Zero now accounts for 27 of the 38 stores that make up the speciality brands unit, with three fresh openings recorded in the past twelve months, one each in Irene Village, Hartenbos and East Rand Mall, pushing the total count to its current level. The expansion reflects a deliberate push into venues where the group previously lacked a footprint, and the new sites were chosen to test the viability of each format before broader rollout. By concentrating on locations with built-in foot traffic, the brand can gauge consumer response without the need for extensive market research, a strategy that has already yielded a “phenomenal response” in its inaugural hospital store.
The Doppio Caffè concept is deliberately placed in captive environments such as the Sandton Mediclinic hospital, the Ballyoaks office park in Bryanston and the Marriott Protea Hotel in Sea Point. In each case the layout is tweaked: the hospital outlet includes a small retail selection of grab-and-go items typical of a hospital shop, while the hotel site features a deck suited for cocktails and evening drinks. These adaptations allow the format to meet the specific expectations of each audience, turning what might be a generic coffee shop into a tailored experience that aligns with the host venue’s brand.
Doppio Bistrot, situated in the Nine Yards development in Rosebank, remains company-owned alongside its sister stores in Greenside and Rosebank, a decision made to avoid cannibalising existing traffic. The venue offers a private-dining area that has attracted considerable attention, and while franchising is not yet on the agenda, the company has left the door open for future franchisees should demand increase. Maintaining ownership also gives Spur tighter control over service standards and menu innovation while it evaluates the format’s long-term profitability.
The Roam format, launched in August at Irene Village Mall opposite the new Checkers Hyper, operates as a satellite store for existing Doppio Zero franchisees. Production of bakery items is centralised at the main store and then distributed to the Roam outlet, ensuring consistency and reducing overhead for the smaller site. Because the concept can function in as little as 50 m², essentially a counter serving coffee, or expand to 120 m² with limited seating, it offers flexibility that appeals to younger investors with capital between R1.3 million and R1.8 million.
From a procedural standpoint, the rollout of a new Doppio format follows a three-stage process: site selection, pilot launch and franchise integration. After identifying a captive market, Spur conducts a brief feasibility study focusing on foot traffic and complementary services. The pilot phase, typically lasting six months, gathers sales data and customer feedback, which informs any necessary layout tweaks. Once the concept proves viable, the company offers the model to existing franchisees as a satellite opportunity, providing them with training, supply chain access and branding support.
Looking ahead, the group plans to monitor the performance of the Roam and Caffè formats closely, with particular attention to the breakfast daypart that already generates half of Doppio’s trade. Should the satellite model demonstrate strong returns, Spur may accelerate the conversion of other captive locations, such as additional hospitals or office parks, into Doppio-branded outlets. This systematic approach allows the company to scale efficiently while preserving the brand’s distinct positioning against competitors like Mugg & Bean.
