The man who took McDonald’s from 4 stores to 400 in South Africa is now opening ultra-luxury petrol stations across the country

After growing McDonald’s South Africa from four restaurants to over 400, former CEO Greg Solomon is taking over as the head of the ultra-luxury grocery and petrol forecourt chain, Pantry by Marble.

On 1 October 2026, Pantry by Marble announced that it had appointed Greg Solomon, a former McDonald’s South Africa CEO, as its new chief executive.

Greg Solomon joined McDonald’s South Africa when it had just four restaurants. Nearly three decades later, the business had grown to more than 400 stores under his leadership.

Solomon was born and raised in Johannesburg and initially trained as a civil engineer, following in his father’s footsteps in the building industry.

He worked in heavy construction, building roads and bridges, before he joined McDonald’s in 1996 as a project manager.

His career at the company then expanded beyond construction. He moved into real estate, kitchen and facilities design, supply chain, treasury, and imports and exports.

After doing this for a few years, Terry Reece, the then managing director of McDonald’s South Africa, asked him to join the operations side because they saw potential in him.

“I said, ‘Terry, I didn’t study five years engineering to sweep floors and make hamburgers. I’m not interested in that job,’” Solomon told the Off The Clock show.

However, he eventually agreed and spent a year running the Auckland Park McDonald’s before moving into senior leadership.

In January 2009, Solomon became managing director of McDonald’s South Africa. During his tenure, the company expanded its restaurant network, increased sales and modernised its customer experience.

He also oversaw major changes, including the rollout of self-service ordering machines, the expansion of McCafé, breakfast and 24-hour restaurants, and the growing use of the McDonald’s app.

During his time at the top, the business also faced major challenges, including Covid-19, riots and load-shedding.

Despite these challenges, Solomon managed to make McDonald’s one of the most successful fast-food franchises in South Africa, with 400 stores and a workforce of 15,000.

In February 2025, McDonald’s South Africa announced that Solomon would step down after 29 years with the company, including 15 years as CEO. He remained involved as a board member during the transition.

Taking over Pantry by Marble

After decades of helping build McDonald’s into one of the biggest food companies in South Africa, Solomon is now taking over as the CEO of Pantry by Marble.

His appointment comes as Pantry looks to take a concept it has spent the past five years developing and grow it across South Africa.

Pantry started as a single petrol forecourt in Rosebank during the COVID-19 pandemic, launched by chef David Higgs and businessman Gary Kyriacou.

It brought luxury and hospitality to this market, with curated and imported goods, restaurant-quality food, and 24/7 service.

The idea was a hit, and the business has since expanded into a broader food retail concept offering groceries, fresh produce, meat, baked goods, coffee, and prepared meals.

Pantry has also spent the last few years expanding across Gauteng. It currently has permanent locations in Rosebank, Bassonia and Hazelwood, a pop-up in The Marc, Sandton.

A new store also opened in Fourways on 1 October, and several others are currently in the pipeline. This includes a 1,300m² standalone store next to the Mall of Africa, which will open in 2027.

“Pantry is at the right stage for growth and expansion,” Solomon said. “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.”

Now that the Pantry is eyeing further expansion, it has turned to Solomon to lead the business into its next era.

“I have always been a customer of Pantry,” he said. “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 said the first phase of building the 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 expand the footprint while protecting the quality and experience that define Pantry.

He explained that the challenge is not simply about opening more stores, but about ensuring 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.”

Marble Hospitality’s partner and head of operations, Dino Constantinou, added that the Pantry stands for exceptional product, a premium everyday experience and a strong sense of community.

“The opportunity now is to take that into more neighbourhoods without diluting what makes the brand special,” Constantinou said.

“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.”