Since first breaking onto British shores in the early 90s, Nando’s has gone on to achieve a level of cult status on the UK high street that most restaurant chains can only dream of.
The peri-peri chicken giant is now seen as a pioneer in the casual dining space, as well as a staple choice for students, families and celebrities alike. When you count the likes of Ed Sheeran, Adele, Rihanna and Prince Harry among your fanbase, it’s safe to say you’re doing something right.
So, what’s the secret behind the sauce? And more importantly for aspiring entrepreneurs, is it possible to buy into the brand? Here we strip back the inner workings of the Nando’s model to reveal what makes it work – and how you can harness the same winning strategies for your own business
Is Nando’s as a Franchise in the UK?
The short answer is no, Nando’s doesn’t offer franchises in the UK or Ireland. Instead, all of its restaurants in the region are company-owned and operated. However, there are still many lessons for you to learn from a franchise perspective.
The story of Nando’s offers a brilliant case study in how a sharply defined concept can scale with operational discipline and brand consistency. In fact, understanding why the company chose this path reveals the core principles that make every top restaurant franchise tick.
For starters, the combination of unwavering operational discipline, impeccable brand consistency and clear demographic targeting is a recipe for success for any hospitality chain. Add to that a savvy site location strategy focused on high footfall and it’s easy to see why the business has carved out a huge share of the casual dining market for itself.
Understanding Nando’s Business Model in the UK
Nando’s model in the UK is a blueprint for vertical integration. That basically means the business has direct control over how each of its restaurants operates. Every detail – from the training of every ‘Nandoca’ team member to the closely guarded recipes for its peri-peri sauces – is carefully orchestrated from a central point of command.
This gives Nando’s full visibility and control over its customer experience and site management; so whether you’re in Edinburgh or Exeter, the taste, the service and the vibrant atmosphere always hit a consistently high standard. That focus on quality control is one of the main reasons why the brand has cemented its place in the nation’s cultural psyche.
For entrepreneurs, it highlights a crucial truth that scale doesn’t have to mean franchising, but it does require iron-clad systems that maintain high standards and minimise any deviation from what’s been proven to work well.
How Nando’s Captures the UK High Street
Just like its recipes, the genius of Nando’s high street appeal lies in a set of repeatable, winning formulas that match the tastes of a broad demographic.
Crossover appeal is a big factor. The restaurant offers a modern dining experience at an affordable price point, with customisable options to suit a range of wants and needs. It’s an experience that feels more upmarket than fast food but just as accessible, equally perfect for a Tuesday date night or weekend family meal.
As a chain, it also provides a prime example of how to scale a restaurant brand in the right way. Their site selection is legendary, focusing on locations with built-in demand and high visibility for passing traffic – typically bustling high streets or prominent retail parks.
By leaning into the famous ‘cheeky Nando’s’ meme, the brand has positioned itself as a fun, natural choice for casual socialising that’s completely in line with UK youth culture. It’s something that makes the brand feel both clever and socially tuned-in to its audience, rather than outdated or overly corporate.
What Are the Best Alternatives to a Nando’s Franchise?
While Nando’s doesn’t offer franchising restaurant opportunities for UK entrepreneurs, there are a number of similar high-street restaurant chains that do:
1. Chicken Cottage: an established fried chicken franchise opportunity
Chicken Cottage offers a prime entry point into the value-driven fried chicken market. Its established brand identity and straightforward, scalable model provide a lower-risk franchising path which is underpinned by proven customer demand.
2. Bunsik: Korean street food as a fast-casual alternative
If you’re looking to capitalise on the Korean street food boom, Bunsik offers a modern, fast-casual franchise that taps directly into the trend. Its menu of vibrant, shareable dishes appeals more toward a younger, urban demographic seeking Asian flavours.
3. Lucky B’s: a premium fried chicken concept inspired by the US market
Lucky B’s presents another gourmet-inspired alternative for entrepreneurs targeting the premium fast-casual segment. The brand focuses on high-quality ingredients and indulgent chicken burgers, along with a more upmarket, experience-led dining experience compared with quick-service chains like Chicken Cottage.
4. Hotville: riding the Nashville hot chicken trend
Hotville is one of the chains riding the wave of the Nashville hot chicken craze. It offers a distinct culinary niche with a fiery brand identity, ideal for attracting foodie crowds and building a cult-like local following.
5. Zambrero: a healthier and socially responsible fast-food alternative
Zambrero combines two powerful modern consumer drivers: health-conscious eating and social impact. As a Mexican-inspired ‘feel-good’ franchise, it offers a purpose-led business model that attracts ethically-minded customers and franchisees alike, particularly through its innovative ‘Plate 4 Plate’ meal donation initiative.
Franchising: A Different Route to Scaling
For passionate entrepreneurs, franchising is the ultimate shortcut to running your own show – without starting from scratch.
Remember you don’t have to invent the wheel to enjoy the ride. You bring the drive and local know-how, and your franchisor provides the beloved brand, the proven playbook and a service offering that’s already tried and tested.
It’s like being handed the blueprint that Nando’s uses – including the meticulous operations manual, the marketing magic, the trusted supply chain – but you also get to build your own version on top of an established framework.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Nando’s
Here are our key takeaways from the Nando’s story:
- Find your one brilliant thing: Nando’s didn’t try to do everything. They own flame-grilled peri-peri chicken. What’s your one brilliant thing? Find it and be the best at it.
- Love your systems: Whether it’s one cosy site or one hundred, the experience must feel completely consistent from one day to the next. That comes from documenting every process, training your team with heart and guarding your standards like a hawk.
- Your brand is a feeling: Connecting with your customers takes more than just a logo on a napkin. It’s the warmth of the welcome, the music on the speakers, the sense of satisfaction after a great meal. What feeling will your business create?
- Location, location, location: Don’t just grab any empty unit. Like Nando’s it pays to find the right spot where your dream customers are already passing by.
So while the Nando’s franchise door is closed for now, you shouldn’t see that as a full stop. The UK food franchise scene is buzzing with incredible brands waiting for someone like you to bring them to life.
All that’s left is to find the one that matches your ambition, so you can be the person to fill that gap on your local high street and grow a successful franchise of your own.
