Nando's was founded in 1987 in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, South Africa, by Robbie Brozin and Fernando Duarte. The pair purchased a small Portuguese chicken restaurant called Chickenland and renamed it after Fernando — and a global phenomenon was born. The chain's signature dish, flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, takes its heat from the African Bird's Eye chilli, known locally as PERi-PERi or piri piri. The chilli is sourced from Mozambique and blended into Nando's iconic range of marinades and sauces.
Nando's expanded rapidly through South Africa before crossing continents, opening its first UK restaurant in Ealing, West London, in 1992. The British public took to it immediately, and the chain now operates more than 450 restaurants across the UK alone, with the Waterloo location near London's South Bank among its busiest sites. Globally, Nando's spans over 1,000 restaurants across 23 countries including Australia, Canada, the United States, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. Despite its scale, the brand maintains its distinctively eclectic interior design — each restaurant features original artworks by African artists, giving every site a unique character.
The menu has grown beyond its chicken roots to include plant-based options, wraps, burgers, and an extensive sides selection, while the PERi-ometer heat scale remains central to the Nando's experience. Diners choose from Lemon & Herb, Mild, Medium, Hot, or Extra Hot — a ritual that regulars approach with serious pride. The chain's cult following in the UK has made it a cultural institution, referenced in music, comedy, and everyday British slang.