Founded in 1987, the Nando’s chain operates in thirty countries spanning five continents and is synonymous with delicious flame-grilled chicken and spicy PERi-PERi sauce.
Boasting a scrumptious menu that tickles taste buds the organisation has more than 250 restaurants in locations including Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds with its latest site opening in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.
Located on Marine Road, Nando’s Dun Laoghaire covers an area of 4,200sq m and includes 130 internal covers, with room for a further 48 seats outside. The new Nando’s replaces the Harbor Bar & Grill which was previously housed on the site and continues the tradition of serving up delicious food in a comfortable environment.
Parson Building Services Ltd was the main contractor on Nando’s Dun Laoghaire, which has not only brought a new restaurant to Dublin, but has also brought new jobs to the local area too.
Discussing the new addition to the Nando’s portfolio, Alan Snyman, Nando’s, said:
“Dun Laoghaire is a fantastic location for us and somewhere we’ve been looking at closely for a while. We are delighted to announce the growth of our Irish team with the 40 new positions created at Dun Laoghaire. It is always easy to make hires in Ireland as the natural energy and enthusiasm of the Irish people makes them a great fit for the Nando’s team.”
One factor that has remained constant throughout the expansion of the Nando’s chain is that each site brings its own unique flavour whilst at the same time maintains elements that Nando’s customers are familiar with. One particularly striking Nando’s restaurant is Stratford, which is based in the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. Occupying over 7,500 square feet in a prominent second floor position within the mall boulevard, the restaurant has managed to complement the grandeur of the Stratford development whilst embodying Nando’s unique Afro-Portuguese style.
Another unique Nando’s restaurant is the Clink Street offering. Located on the banks of the Thames, the 200-seat restaurant is built on three levels and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The innovative development incorporates Nando’s signature materials palette, along with a copper ceiling that vitally diverts water ingress and regulates the temperature.
One aspect that the Nando’s chain remains dedicated to is ensuring that their restaurants remain sustainable. Along with the use of recycled materials and reclaimed timber for their construction projects, the organisation also incorporated low & zero carbon technology within their Leeds restaurant, which was completed in January 2009.
Dean Conannon designed the building, which was to be Nando’s first Eco development. Architects Aedas then worked with main contractor McGoff & Byrne to incorporate a range of exceptional features including a grass roof, a biodiesel fuel plant and photo voltaic cells, amongst others.
Head of Development at Nandos, Stephen du Plessis, said:
“McGoff & Byrne were engaged early in the life of this project in order to release construction intellect into the early design stages, eliminating waste from the design review cycle and delivering a safe, more sustainable building. This early contractor involvement definitely encouraged collaborative working and joint decision-making and we are delighted with the end result.”
With more Nando’s restaurants in the pipeline, the chain is expected to eclipse its rivals in the following years. The organisation now offers a range of exciting products, including sauces and even a Nando’s app for iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices.
