From Pandemic Losses to Profitable Growth: Nando's Unveils 14 New UK Restaurants

Nando's has embarked on an ambitious expansion in the UK, marking a significant turnaround with 14 new restaurant openings. This expansion comes on the heels of the brand's return to profitability for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ewan Munro from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

To date, Nando's has successfully launched 10 out of these 14 planned restaurants. Notably, the new locations include a standout establishment at the revitalised Battersea Power Station, and others spread across diverse locations such as Belfast, Perth in central Scotland, and Bridgwater in Somerset. The chain is set to further bolster its presence in Brighton in the upcoming New Year, increasing the number of Nando's restaurants in this seaside city to three.

This strategic expansion aligns with the recent financial report from Nando's Group Holdings, which highlighted a £17 million operating profit for the year ending 26 February 2023. This is a remarkable shift from the £1.2 million operating loss reported in the previous year.

Rob Papps, the Group Chief Executive of Nando's, commented on this achievement: "The 2023 financial year marked a pivotal moment for Nando's, showcasing a robust return to pre-pandemic sales levels and a shift back into operating profit. This success is primarily attributed to the strong consumer appetite for our unique flame-grilled peri-peri chicken, bolstered by our brand and customer-focused strategies. Despite facing headwinds such as rising energy, labour, and food costs, our sales performance improved significantly. While the economic outlook for 2024 remains uncertain, Nando's is committed to future growth. We're planning further menu innovations, digital enhancements, and continued expansion in all our markets, including the UK, with 14 new openings."

Nando's resurgence illustrates a story of resilience and strategic growth, navigating through the challenges of the pandemic and emerging stronger. As Nando's continues to expand and innovate, we invite you, our readers, to share your thoughts and comments on this exciting journey.