Since its launch in 2019, Platō has quickly become a standout player in South Africa’s coffee scene. With a focus on combining specialty coffee with grab-and-go convenience, Platō’s brand has resonated deeply with urban coffee lovers.

But behind the stylish cafés and sleek, minimalist store experience, was a challenge many scaling businesses face: how to grow fast - already now at 96 stores and counting - without losing operational control.

That’s where Yoco came in with the latest point of sale (POS) solution revolutionising the industry: Table by Yoco.

The challenges

Platō’s early success revealed gaps in their tech stack that began to slow down operations and drain resources:

• Rigid POS setup: Their previous solution lacked flexibility. Menu prices couldn’t be customised per store - so a price change in Cape Town would automatically apply to Pretoria, regardless of local cost differences.

• Time-consuming updates: Adjusting menus meant logging into every single store manually - nearly 100 times for a single change, leading to one update taking up to 90 hours.

• Expensive integrations: Essential tools for inventory were pricey (about R3 000/month), plus extra fees just to connect hardware like Neo Touch machines.

• Clunky loyalty program: Their UK-based solution, offered limited insights and was prone to misuse. Support was slow, and there was no control over return rates or user experience.

• Offline struggles: Reliability was a concern. Internet hiccups meant sales could halt, especially problematic in stores running on iPads without offline POS support.

For a company aiming to open 130–140 stores by year’s end, and 400 by 2027, this setup wasn’t sustainable.

The solution

Faced with these challenges, Platō turned to Table - a decision driven by cost-effectiveness, local support, and a commitment to continuous development.

• Centralised price management: Updates to menus and pricing could be done once and applied to all stores - saving hours of repetitive work.

• Always on mode with SIM: Yoco’s built-in SIM cards ensured consistent uptime, even in low-connectivity areas.

• Fast payments: Table’s integration with Neo Touch devices sped up transactions, improving flow and reducing queue times.

• Smarter loyalty: Platō were able to integrate their loyalty program within the Table software, allowing:

  • 5% return rate (down from 10%)

  • Real-time voucher scanning

  • App and card-link functionality for seamless tracking of new and existing customers

• Outstanding support: Dedicated onboarding from Yoco’s Stephan van Pletzen provided hands-on setup, customisation, and daily support, earning him a place as an “honorary team member.”

• Improved hardware: Bluetooth-enabled printers made receipts easier to manage and reposition—crucial for fast-moving cafes and test kitchens.

Here’s how Table transformed their operations:

1. Centralised control, real-time updates

Instead of spending 90 hours on manual menu edits, Platō’s head office can now update pricing and menus across all stores instantly. This has been a game-changer for day-to-day efficiency.

2. Integrated inventory management

Table comes with a built-in inventory module, eliminating the need for costly third-party tools. There are no extra integration fees, and data is available instantly across the network.

“I used to spend eight hours pulling sales and stock data from every store. Now I can do it in seconds with one click.”

Harry, Platō COO

3. Always-on sales, even offline

Table’s SIM-enabled hardware ensures stores can keep processing transactions even during internet outages - a must-have for stores in areas with unreliable connectivity.

4. Faster payments, happier customers

Table’s seamless integration with Neo Touch devices dramatically reduced wait times at checkout. Faster service led to better tips and happier baristas.

“One store saw tips jump from R10 000 to R31 000 a month. That’s life-changing for our staff.”

Jonathan, Franchise Caretaker

5. Smart loyalty that works

Platō switched to Yoyo, a loyalty system that plugs directly into Table. It allows for in-app and card-linked loyalty, complete with data insights and push notifications.

• 36 000 users signed up in just 3 weeks

• 27 000 via app, 11 000 via card-linked banner

• Return rate reduced from 10% to 5%, with full control and visibility

“The old loyalty system lacked insight and control. With Yoyo and Table, we actually know who our customers are—and how to bring them back.”

6. Unmatched local support

Table’s team didn’t just sell software - they partnered with Platō. From installations to feature customisations, Stephan van Pletzen from Yoco became an extension of the Platō team.

“Stephan understands Platō 200%. He’s responsive, knowledgeable, and feels like part of our team.”

Jonathan, Franchise Caretaker

Hardware that fits the flow

Platō retained their iPads for in-store music and telemetry (via Flow), while Table’s dedicated terminals allowed baristas to focus purely on transactions. Bluetooth-enabled printers meant no more messy cables.

“Those Bluetooth printers are game-changers. You can move them anywhere, and they just work. Fast and reliable.”

Real results

Time savings

• 90 hours/month saved on menu updates

• 8 hours/month saved on reporting

Cost savings

• R500 per store saved on integration fees

Better staff experience

• Easier training with intuitive interface

• Baristas earning higher tips = happier teams

Improved scalability

• Tools and support in place to power growth to 130+ stores in 2025, and 400 by 2027

Final word on Table by Yoco

“One word? Positive. You listened, adapted, and delivered. That’s why we chose Table.”

Harry, COO

As Platō continues its explosive growth across South Africa, Table has become more than just a POS system - it’s a scaling partner, empowering them to move fast, stay efficient, and deliver standout coffee experiences at scale.

If you're a growing business tired of being slowed down by outdated tools, Table might just be your next best move.

“Just being able to change the price of a croissant across every store—it’s a small thing, but it’s saved me so much time.”

Harry, COO