Fast food shake up: Nando’s refreshes its menu and decor as it tries to claw back market share

Popular fast food chicken store Nando’s is refining its menu and aesthetic as part of a new growth strategy, which will see seven new restaurants come online over 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-storey eatery boasting open space, seating areas and elegant interiors.

“In our quest to become Australia’s favorite dining destination, we have refined our menu, invested in the design and fit-out of our restaurants and are committed to expanding locations and staff,” said Nando’s head of brand and communications, Tom Blackburn.

‘Over the next three years we will open 25 additional Nando’s restaurants in Australia and New Zealand, growing our workforce by 1,000 people. The goal is to add 70 new restaurants by 2030.”

The company, which specializes in Portuguese fire-grilled peri peri chicken dishes, will revamp its music, design, food and drink offerings to attract more customers.

To celebrate Richmond’s opening, the restaurant is offering free chicken and fries meals on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Nando’s will revamp its menu and store design as part of a new growth strategy

“We want to capture the attention of foodies and locals as they show off the new headquarters and 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 decline in numbers “astounding.”

Franchisees have previously publicly complained that the renewals of their agreements were related to costly renovation work, preventing them from making a profit.

The chain had more than 250 stores just a few years ago, but has now dropped to fewer than 150

Nando’s specializes in Portuguese chicken meals

Like many businesses, Nando’s Australia announced in 2020 that it would no longer accept cash payments due to hygiene concerns and to limit interactions between employees and customers.

The restaurants have continued the transition and started offering cards only.

Nando staff said customers often complained about the cash ban.

‘Nothing new. No charge for card, Nando’s is expensive enough like lol. It’s annoying when customers try to complain to me or scold me for it, but there’s not much I can do about that, I wasn’t even there when the decision was made,” an employee wrote at the time.

Another worker agreed, adding: ‘I worked at Nando’s for eight months and I swear it always drove people crazy.’