Nando’s announces new openings after returning to profit since the pandemic

Chicken restaurant chain Nando’s is in the process of opening 14 UK restaurants after returning to profit for the first time since the pandemic.

So far, the high-street chain has opened 10 of these restaurants, including a flagship site in the recently redeveloped Battersea Power Station, as well as restaurants in Belfast, Perth in central Scotland, and Bridgwater in Somerset.

The next site to open will be in Brighton in the New Year, bringing the total number of Nando’s in the seaside city to three.

It came as Nando’s Group Holdings recently reported a £17m operating profit for the year to 26 February 2023, compared with a £1.2m operating loss a year earlier.

Rob Papps, group chief executive at Nando's, said: “The 2023 financial year saw Nando's deliver a steady recovery to pre-pandemic sales and a return to operating profit driven by strong consumer demand for our flame-grilled peri-peri chicken supported by our brand and customer proposition.

“Despite the improved sales performance, cost pressures including higher energy, labour and food prices remained a challenge. The macro-economic outlook for 2024 remains uncertain but we are continuing to invest for the future, with further menu innovation, enhancements to our digital capabilities and new restaurant openings planned in all our markets, including 14 in the UK.”