Nando's opens its 500th restaurant

Nando’s UK & Ireland has opened its 500th restaurant, with the latest site launching in Leatherhead, Surrey.

The restaurant brand has marked the 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.

"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," says Mark Standish, CEO of Nando’s UK & Ireland. "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."

Where it all began

Since opening in the UK in 1992 with its first restaurant in Ealing, West London, Nando’s currently 427 restaurants in England, 35 in Scotland, 14 in Wales, 11 in Northern Ireland and 13 in the Republic of Ireland.

The business now employs over 20,000 people, with 77% of new hires aged between 16- to 24-years-old and over 1,500 of these starting their first job. The company has also enrolled over 900 apprentices across its operational and central support functions.

Nando’s Leatherhead will be headed up by general manager Robeal Fisaheye (pictured), who has worked for the business for 13 years, starting as a griller in Tooting. Robeal heads up a team of 38, 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.

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