Pantry by Marble, Joburg’s favourite Fancy but Easy eatery, has appointed former McDonald’s South Africa CEO Greg Solomon as its new chief executive.
Solomon spent 15 years as CEO of McDonald’s South Africa, where he helped grow the business beyond 400 locations and led a workforce of 15,000 people.
His appointment comes as Pantry looks to take a concept it has spent the past five years developing and grow it across South Africa.
The business currently has permanent locations in Rosebank, Bassonia and Hazelwood, a pop-up in The Marc, Sandton, and several new stores in the pipeline, including the imminent opening of Fourways this October and a 1,300m² standalone store next to Mall of Africa in 2027.
“Pantry is at the right stage for growth and expansion,” says Solomon. “Fast change and scale need discipline, and it has to be added without compromising the brand’s character and culture. That is what I have done for almost 30 years.”
Pantry was launched by chef David Higgs and businessman Gary Kyriacou during the Covid-19 pandemic, combining food retail with a chef-inspired eatery. It has since grown into a broader food retail concept offering groceries, fresh produce, meat, baked goods, coffee and prepared meals. Now, at a time where flagship stores are settling and growth is on the radar, the team looks to Solomon to lead the next chapter.
“I have always been a customer of Pantry,” states Solomon. “It is a marketplace of good food, smiles, connections and friends. A chef-inspired, easy experience with a fancy and extraordinary product that is truly unique in South Africa. Now that flagship stores are settled, there’s opportunity to expand beyond Gauteng.”
Solomon believes the first phase of building Pantry is complete. The brand is established, the offering is consistent and the experience is distinctive. The focus now shifts to building the systems, infrastructure and operational discipline needed to grow the footprint, while protecting the quality and experience that define Pantry.
For Solomon, the challenge is not simply opening more stores, but making sure Pantry can grow without losing what made the original concept work.
“The hardest part will be saying no. There is so much demand for the brand that choosing the right locations, products and people is a big responsibility and a privilege. Our immediate priorities are strong systems, training programmes, supply chain, and standardisation across our central kitchen. Above all, the Pantry service, hospitality and quality must be delivered every day, in every location.”
“We know exactly what Pantry stands for: exceptional product, a premium everyday experience and a strong sense of community,” says Dino Constantinou, partner and head of operations at Marble Hospitality. “The opportunity now is to take that into more neighbourhoods without diluting what makes the brand special. Greg understands that instinctively, and he brings the experience to help us grow with the same care and consistency that built Pantry in the first place.”