PLTFRM is a restaurant originally from Pretoria, South Af rica. With the aim of expanding the brand, we opened a second branch in the Cape Winelands in an effort to expand its reach and provide a unique dining experience to the local population. PLTFRM has a loyal following in Pretoria and hoped to cultivate the same relationships in the Cape Winelands. The Cape Winelands region is known for its unique and diverse cuisine, with a wide range of local ingredients, dishes, and local wines. PLTFRM Plaisir Restaurant focused on bringing people together, creating a safe environment for family and friends as well as pairing South African dishes with local wines. After 6 months of being open, the restaurant closed its doors. The opening of PLTFRM Plaisir has taught us several lessons about the Cape Winelands region and its people.

The Cape Winelands is an area known for its lush vineyards, rolling hills, and beautiful landscapes. With its unique geography and culture, it is a great place for a business like PLTFRM Restaurant to thrive. The people in the area have been incredibly welcoming and supportive of the new restaurant. Since opening, PLTFRM Plaisir has been filled with customers, both from the local area and from tourists. The people in the area have responded positively to PLTFRM’s unique concept and menu, which offers a variety of dishes inspired by traditional South Af rican flavours. Our restaurant has also benefitted f rom its location, which is close to a number of popular tourist attractions and wineries. In addition to the success of local customers, We have also seen success with our marketing efforts. We built an extensive online presence, with a website and social media accounts that featured regular posts about the restaurant experience and dishes. We were able to create a buzz and attract customers through our social media campaigns and advertising. Our restaurant was also well-reviewed on social media and google reviews, with customers praising the high-quality food and service.

Firstly, PLTFRM Plaisir has highlighted the importance of offering customers a unique and memorable food and beverage experience. PLTFRM Plaisir has highlighted the importance of understanding the local culture and demographics. Our menu was designed to appeal to the local population, and tourists. We were situated in a beautiful area with a beautiful view of vineyards and mountains. PLTFRM was successful because of its ability to offer dinners – something that other restaurants in the area did not. Our restaurant was also successful in bringing something completely unique to the Winelands area, such as the PLTFRM shuttle who could pick-up and drop-off customers on and outside of the farm. We also enjoyed the support of local customers, as well as tourists, and the Wine tram brought a lot of feet to the restaurant over weekends.

Although PLTFRM is a success in Pretoria, the experience of opening the second branch in the Cape Winelands was a challenge. We learned that the Winelands is an incredibly competitive market. With an abundance of restaurants already in the area, it can be difficult for a new restaurant to stand out and gain a foothold. Due to the restaurant being situated on a wine farm, it was difficult to make a profit on the beverages, as the area was more expensive than Pretoria. Lastly, there was a lack of local customers during the week.

A first endeavour for us to test our offering outside of Pretoria; we have had the immense privilege of serving our community, creating lasting memories, and sharing in joyous occasions. We have had the pleasure of being a part of your lives, celebrating milestones, and providing a welcoming space for f riends and families to come together. It has been a great opportunity for us to experience how our brand can co-exist in the Cape Winelands and we have learned so much along the way! We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you—the vibrant individuals, families, and local businesses who have supported us throughout this incredible journey. Your unwavering loyalty, enthusiasm, and encouragement have fuelled our passion, and we cannot thank you enough for being an integral part of our story. We are especially proud of our team for all their hard work and dedication. Although we are saying goodbye to the Winelands for now, we have lots of new plans up our sleeves ;). Keep following us and keep an eye out for the next spot where PLTFRM Restaurant may pop up. Our commitment to developing new lifestyle experiences and passion for bringing people together will continue… We look forward to exploring new avenues and opportunities in the future, driven by the incredible life lessons we gain throughout this extraordinary journey. Meanwhile, if you are planning to travel to Pretoria, please come say hello and enjoy the PLTFRM, Wijntuin (and soon-to-be-launched Boma) experience at our Wolwespruit location. Thank you to everyone for your support and we look forward to seeing you soon!