Restaurant News is sponsored by The Kitchen Porters Club
Nando’s UK & Ireland opens its 500th restaurant in Leatherhead, Surrey. The restaurant brand is recognising this milestone with the unveiling of a PERi-Red Plaque on the building and a free giveaway of bespoke PERi-PERi sauce bottles to the first 500 customers.
Since opening in the UK in 1992 [first restaurant location being Ealing, West London], Nando’s has been serving its infamous PERi-PERi grilled chicken the length and breadth of the country with currently 427 restaurants in England, 35 in Scotland, 14 in Wales, 11 in Northern Ireland and 13 in the Republic of Ireland.
Nando’s now employs over 20,000 people (Nandocas) with 77% of new hires aged between 16-24 years old and over 1,500 of these starting their first job. Over 1300 Nandocas have worked for the business for 10+ years, with over 100 of them having worked at Nando’s for over 20 years. The company has also enrolled over 900 apprentices across its operational and central support functions.
Mark Standish, CEO Nando’s UK and Ireland: “Opening our 500th restaurant in the UK and Ireland is a proud moment for Nando’s, and one that belongs to all our people – past and present – who have each played their part in reaching this incredible milestone. When we open a restaurant, it’s not just about great food, it’s about bringing people together and becoming part of the local community. We’re proud to create jobs, support local causes and make a real difference in the places we call home.”
Nando’s food redistribution programme, No Chuckin’ Our Chicken, which operates in every restaurant reduces waste by supporting local charities to collect leftover chicken and make meals for those in need. The programme has now supported over 500 charities across the UK and Ireland and donated more than six million meals. Nando’s has also hired over 600 people, that face barriers to entering the workplace, through these charity links as part of the business’ community hiring programme.
Nando’s Leatherhead will be headed up by General Manager, Robeal Fisaheye, who has worked for the business for 13 years, starting as a griller in Tooting. Robeal heads up a team of 38 Nandocas, 30 of which are new hires. The restaurant is teaming up with Amber Foundation, as part of the No Chuckin’ Our Chicken and community hiring programmes.
Robeal commented “What an honour and privilege it is to open Nando’s 500th restaurant. When this opportunity came up I had no idea that it would be this milestone restaurant, I was just excited to take on a new challenge in a new area. I’ve worked in lots of different Nando’s over the years and one thing that always stands out is the culture. I’ve seen what it means to be a family, no matter what restaurant you’re in, you can always feel that.”
From artwork to lighting design and furnishings, Nando’s champions it’s Southern African heritage by continually working with South African based designers across all aspects of its restaurants – Leatherhead is no different. This stunning new restaurant seats 72 and fans will also be able to order takeaway and Click and Collect to enjoy their Nando’s at home.
Restaurant News is sponsored by The Kitchen Porters Club
