Nando’s PERi-PERi is spreading its wings from Africa to Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA–February 15, 2024 – Nando’s PERi-PERi, the beloved South African restaurant brand recognized around the world for its spicy flame-grilled chicken, today announced a major new market expansion to Atlanta. Nando’s will open a flagship Atlanta location later this year at High Street in Atlanta’s Perimeter, and then a second location at The Forum Peachtree Corners – in advance of future expansion throughout the city.

“Our authentic flavors were born in South Africa but are built for the South. We can’t wait to welcome Nando’s newcomers and loyalists who have long lobbied for us to come to Atlanta,” said John Fisher, CEO of Nando’s PERi-PERi USA.

The company’s journey from the tip of Africa to the heart of Georgia began 35 years ago with a single location in Johannesburg and now spans 24 nations from Australia to Zimbabwe. Landing stateside in 2008 with its inaugural US restaurant in Washington, DC, the brand has since expanded to nearly 50 sites in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Chicago, and Texas.

The concept’s popularity can be traced to PERi-PERi – or African Bird’s Eye Chilli – the heart and soul of the Nando’s experience. “We marinate our chicken in PERi-PERi for at least 24-hours, so the flavor goes right through to the bone,” Fisher explained. “Then we grill it over an open flame and baste it with PERi-PERi sauce to the customer’s preferred spice level. That’s what makes our chicken so addictive.”

Nando’s sources all its PERi-PERi through 1,400 local farmers in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa who are empowered with upfront access to funds, equipment, and seedlings as well as a guaranteed commitment by the company to buy the farmers’ crops at a fair price determined before the growing season even starts.

Nando’s first Atlanta location is headed for a prime site at High Street, the cosmopolitan mixed-use district opening in the heart of Atlanta’s Perimeter. The 3,300-square-foot space was designed by Fusion Design and Architecture. Next up will be a 3,500-square-foot Nando’s at The Forum Peachtree Corners, an open-air lifestyle center 30 minutes north of Atlanta that is currently being redeveloped into a dynamic mixed-use destination.

Nando’s intensely loyal following has not only been driven by its high-quality food, but also its friendly service presented in a relaxed atmosphere that elevates the typical fine-fast casual experience. Every Nando’s location is uniquely designed with earthy textures and vibrant colors that reflect its sunny African heritage while retaining a sense of place in which it lives and breathes.

The restaurant’s first-ever Georgia home will be no exception. Nando’s has the largest collection of original South African contemporary art on display in the world, and High Street’s 85-seat interior will include woven-rope light fixtures fabricated in Johannesburg, custom bench seating made in Durban, bespoke lighting from Cape Town, and other custom pieces by South African artisans. The sophisticated interior space will transition to an eye-catching patio for an additional 96 guests.

About Nando’s PERi-PERi

After making its 1987 debut in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nando’s has spread its flame to legions of fans in 24 countries on five continents who can’t resist the allure of succulent PERi-PERi chicken that’s been marinated for 24 hours, flame-grilled to perfection, and basted to their preferred flavor and spice. The restaurant is equally renowned for its spicy PERi-PERi – the Bird’s Eye chilli pepper that indigenous Africans introduced to the Portuguese centuries ago.

Nando’s PERi-PERi entered the US market in 2008 with the opening of its first location in Washington, D.C., and now operates nearly 50 restaurants in and around Virginia, Maryland, Washington, Chicago, and Texas. For more information, visit www.nandosperiperi.com.

About High Street:

High Street is a $2 billion, 36-acre mixed-use and entertainment destination located just steps away from the Dunwoody MARTA Station and at the intersection of Perimeter Center Parkway and Hammond Drive in Atlanta’s Perimeter. High Street’s walkable, mixed-use environment will be highly activated with world-class public spaces and a sophisticated event plaza that will be the focal point of the development and a new gathering place for the community. Upon completion, the transit-oriented, urban district will feature 10 city blocks thoughtfully developed around a pedestrian-friendly street grid. The first phase features 150,000 square feet of retail, 598 apartments and 310,000 square feet of office, including 90,000 square feet of new highly amenitized Class A office.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jim Popkin Seven Oaks Media Group jim@sevenoaksmedia.com 202-253-7959