Pantry by Marble is taking its premium convenience-store concept beyond its existing locations, with Marble Hospitality targeting around 30 stores across South Africa over the next three to four years.
Founded by chef David Higgs and businessman Gary Kyriacou, Pantry by Marble was created as a luxury take on the traditional petrol-station convenience store.
The concept combines everyday convenience with a hospitality-focused experience, offering customers everything from coffee and baked goods to grab-and-go meals and local produce.
Pantry by Marble’s rise in South Africa
Higgs and Kyriacou have worked together for about a decade, beginning with the launch of Marble in 2016.
Their hospitality portfolio has since expanded to include other restaurant concepts, while Pantry by Marble emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic as the pair looked for a new business opportunity.
Rather than creating another ordinary convenience store, they developed a premium forecourt experience that combines food, hospitality and convenience.
The concept quickly gained popularity.
There are currently permanent Pantry locations in Rosebank, Bassonia and Hazelwood, with an additional pop-up location at The MARC in Sandown, Sandton.
Where Pantry by Marble is expanding
The next phase of the Pantry by Marble expansion will take the brand into several major developments and retail destinations.
A 1,300-square-metre standalone store is planned next to Mall of Africa in Midrand, while another location across from Fourways Mall is scheduled to open in September 2026.
The group is also planning a Pantry store at the R2 billion Olympus Sandton development.
The store will be situated on the ground floor of The Athena Tower, one of two towers planned for the development.
The broader project will also feature a new restaurant, Jellyfish, and Maison Marble hotel.
Pantry by Marble targets 30 stores
The expansion could eventually take Pantry by Marble to around 30 stores.
Gary Kyriacou told Daily Investor that the group believes Pantry could reach approximately 30 locations over the next three to four years.
However, the strategy is not simply about opening as many stores as possible.
Kyriacou stressed that each location needs to make commercial sense while still maintaining the identity and experience that customers associate with Pantry.
That approach could be important as the brand moves from a handful of distinctive locations towards a much larger national footprint.
What makes Pantry different?
The Pantry by Marble model is built around the idea that a convenience stop does not have to feel ordinary.
The brand focuses heavily on the customer experience, with everything from music and product selection to the arrangement of the stores being deliberately considered.
The concept effectively brings elements of hospitality into a traditional convenience environment.
Customers might arrive to fill up their vehicles, buy groceries, pick up coffee or collect dinner — but Pantry aims to make that everyday experience feel more premium.
Can Pantry keep its identity as it grows?
The biggest challenge for Pantry by Marble may be maintaining the experience that helped establish the brand while significantly increasing its footprint.
The company has made it clear that growth should not come at the expense of its identity.
That means future locations will need to deliver the same attention to detail and hospitality-led approach that helped distinguish Pantry from conventional convenience stores.
If the expansion reaches its targeted 30 stores, Pantry could become one of South Africa’s most recognisable premium convenience concepts.
Pantry by Marble’s expansion comes as South Africa’s convenience and retail landscape continues to evolve, with businesses increasingly looking at ways to turn everyday stops into broader customer experiences. Pat on Brands recently explored this shift in BP’s new convenience strategy, highlighting the growing importance of convenience and experience in modern retail. The latest Pantry by Marble expansion story was reported by Daily Investor.
