Popular fast food chicken outlet Nando’s is refining its menu and aesthetic as part of a new growth strategy, with seven new restaurants set to come online in the next 12 months.
The first new restaurant is an ‘elevated’ dining space in Melbourne‘s Richmond on the banks of the Yarra River, with the two-level eatery showing off an open space plan, booths and elegant interiors.
‘In our quest to become Australia’s favourite dining destination, we’ve refined our menu, invested in the design and decor of our restaurants, and are committed to increasing locations and staff,’ Nando’s head of brand and communications Tom Blackburn said.
‘Over the next three years we will open an extra 25 Nando’s restaurants across Australia and New Zealand, growing our workforce by 1000 people, the goal is to add 70 new restaurants by 2030.’
The company, which specialises in Portuguese flame-grilled peri peri chicken dishes, will refresh its music, design, food and beverage offerings, to bring in more customers.
To celebrate the Richmond opening, the restaurant is offering up free chicken and chips meals to all from 11am to 8pm on Tuesday.
The new Nando’s restaurant that just launched in Richmond, Melbourne
Nando’s will refresh its menu and store design as part of a new growth strategy
‘We want to grab the attention of food lovers and locals showing off its new headquarters and new dining experience on the banks of the Yarra in Richmond,’ Mr Blackburn said.
At present, there are 136 Nando’s restaurants across Australia.
This is down from 270 locations as at 2020, according to Franchise Buyer magazine who called the drop in number ‘astonishing’.
Franchisees have previously publicly complained their agreement renewals were linked to costly refurbishments which prevented them from turning a profit.
The chain had more than 250 stores just a few years ago but is down to less than 150
Nando’s specialises in Portuguese chicken meals
Like many businesses, Nando’s Australia announced in 2020 it would no longer be accepting cash payments over hygiene concerns and to limit the interaction between employees and customers.
The restaurants have kept up the switch and maintained a card-only business.
Nando’s employees said customers often complained about the cash ban.
‘Nothing new. No surcharge for card, Nando’s is expensive enough as it is lol. It is annoying when customers try and complain to me or scold me for it though, not much I can do about it, I wasn’t even there when the decision was made,’ one employee wrote at the time.
Another employee agreed and added: ‘I worked at Nando’s for eight months and I swear people always lost their minds about it’.
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