Scooters Pizza returns to South Africa after a decade away
Scooters Pizza is back with its 39-minute delivery guarantee.
Image: Unsplash
After almost ten years away, Scooters Pizza, one of South Africa’s most loved homegrown fast-food brands, is officially back on the menu.
The pizza chain, which once became a household name for its bold “39 minutes or it’s free” delivery promise, is relaunching today, Tuesday 21 October, sparking excitement among nostalgic fans who never stopped craving its signature slices.
The revival is being spearheaded by Juan Engelbrecht, one of the brand’s original expansion partners who played a key role in its rapid rise during the early 2000s. Engelbrecht says the demand for Scooters Pizza never truly disappeared, and now, the timing feels right to bring it back.
“People have always asked when Scooters would return,” Engelbrecht explained. “The appetite for a proudly South African pizza brand is still there, and we’re ready to deliver again - literally.”
A proudly South African pizza story
Founded in 2000 by Carlo Gonzaga, Scooters Pizza built its name on fast service, local flavour, and an unmistakable sense of fun. With its 39-minute delivery guarantee - an ambitious promise that often turned into free pizza for lucky customers - the brand quickly captured the hearts of South Africans.
By 2006, Scooters had opened 100 stores, becoming one of the fastest-growing pizza chains in the country.
However, in 2014, the brand took a turn when its then-owner, Taste Holdings, decided to introduce Domino’s Pizza to South Africa. Many Scooters outlets were converted to Domino’s branches, effectively erasing the local brand from the market.
By 2016, Scooters Pizza had been liquidated, and Domino’s itself later exited South Africa after failing to gain traction.
A new slice of the market
Now, nearly a decade later, Scooters Pizza is back—revived by the same entrepreneurial spirit that built it.
The first new outlet has opened on 4 Main Road in Melville, Johannesburg, offering both classic favourites and fresh additions to the menu.
To mark the occasion, the brand is reintroducing its famous 39-minute delivery promise and launching special promotions, including a fun 39-minute all-you-can-eat challenge to kick off the celebrations.
Engelbrecht confirmed that Scooters Pizza will once again operate under a franchise model, with opportunities for new franchisees already available.
“We’re starting small, but we see big potential,” he said. “This is just the beginning of Scooters’ next chapter.”
For many South Africans, this comeback is more than just a return of a pizza chain - it’s a slice of nostalgia served hot.
IOL Lifestyle