Popular fast food chicken outlet Nando’s is refining its menu and aesthetic as part of a new growth strategy, with seven new restaurants due to come online in the next 12 months.
The first new restaurant is an “elevated” dining space in Richmond, Melbourne, on the banks of the Yarra River, with a two-level restaurant showcasing an open plan space, tables and stylish interiors.
“In our quest to become Australia’s favorite dining destination, we have refined our menu, invested in the design and décor of our restaurants and are committed to growing locations and staff,” Nando’s head of brand and communications said , Tom Blackburn.
“Over the next three years we will open an additional 25 Nando’s restaurants across Australia and New Zealand, increasing our workforce by 1,000 people, the aim is to add 70 new restaurants by 2030.”
The company, which specializes in Portuguese grilled peri peri chicken dishes, will revamp its music, design, food and drink offering to attract more customers.
To celebrate Richmond’s opening, the restaurant is offering free chicken and fries meals to everyone from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The new Nando’s restaurant that has just opened in Richmond, Melbourne
Nando’s to revamp its menu and store design as part of new growth strategy
“We want to capture the attention of food lovers and locals by showcasing their new headquarters and new dining experience on the banks of the Yarra in Richmond,” Mr Blackburn said.
There are currently 136 Nando’s restaurants across Australia.
This is down from 270 locations in 2020, according to Franchise Buyer magazine, which called the drop in numbers “staggering.”
Franchisees have previously complained publicly that their deal renewals were tied to costly renovations that prevented them from turning a profit.
The chain had more than 250 stores just a few years ago but now has fewer than 150.
Nando’s specializes in Portuguese chicken dishes.
Like many businesses, Nando’s Australia announced in 2020 that it would no longer accept cash payments for hygiene reasons and to limit interaction between employees and customers.
Restaurants have kept the shift and maintained a card-only business.
Nando’s employees said customers often complained about the cash ban.
‘Nothing new. There is no surcharge for the card, Nando’s is quite expensive as it is lol. “It’s annoying when customers try to complain or scold me for it, there’s not much I can do about it, I wasn’t even present when the decision was made,” one employee wrote at the time.
Another employee agreed, adding: ‘I worked at Nando’s for eight months and I swear people always lost their minds over it.’