If you live in certain US cities you may have eaten at Nando's, the popular peri-peri style chicken restaurant, but even if you haven't you may have heard of the term "cheeky Nando's".
The phrase, originating in Britain, achieved meme-status in 2015, and this led to a lot of confusion from Americans, some of whom had their first exposure to the immense affection that Brits have for the brand.
But what is Nando's, where did it start, and why is it so popular in the UK? And, most importantly, what is so "cheeky" about it?
Let's get you the lowdown on everything you need to know about Nando's in the UK, so you can impress your British friends the next time you cross the pond.
Image Credit: Jonathan Banks Photography. Image Location: Nando's, Capital Retail Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Everything you need to know about Nando's
What is Nando’s?
Nando’s is a South African multinational fast-service restaurant chain that specializes in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken. The first Nando’s restaurant opened in Johannesburg—the largest city in South Africa—in 1987 and the company now operates over 1,200 outlets in 30 different countries.
Where is Nando’s from?
Nando’s was founded in 1987 by Portuguese-born Fernando Duarte and South African entrepreneur Robert Brozin in Rosettenville, a working-class suburb of Johannesburg. Nando’s uses African Bird’s Eye Chillies—also known as peri-peri—in their dishes. These chillies had been used in local Mozambican cooking for centuries, with Portuguese explorers later adding lemon and garlic to peri-peri, making it a well-traveled spice.
Who owns Nando’s?
South African businessman Dick Enthoven and his family purchased the Nando’s restaurant group in 2014. Enthoven’s son Robby had taken over running the restaurants in 1993 and was responsible for expanding the chain in the UK.
Image Credit: Jonathan Banks Photography. Image Location: Nando's, Capital Retail Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK
What do Brits mean by "cheeky"?
In British English the word “cheeky” is usually used to describe someone who is slightly rude or showing no respect, but in a charming or amusing way. It can also be used to describe something that is a little naughty or bends the rules in some way.
What is a “cheeky Nando’s”?
“Having a cheeky Nando’s” doesn’t imply anything dishonest or sneaky; instead, it simply means going to Nando’s for a spontaneous or lighthearted meal as a bit of an indulgence, usually with friends and without any elaborate planning. The phrase is ironic, in a light—and very British—way.
The earliest known reference to a “cheeky Nando’s” on the internet dates back to 2011 and a song by hip-hop artist Buzy Ray on his Soundcloud, and the phrase started entering British popular culture soon after. In 2014/15, the term was spread on social media through memes featuring people making an A-OK sign in reference to having a good meal at Nando's, and this even prompted articles on well-known news sites about Americans' confusion with the phrase.
Groups of friends or coworkers hitting up Nando’s for a "cheeky" meal has become a part of modern British culture, particularly in London and the major cities, reflecting the love young Brits have for the brand.
The story behind Nando’s
Nando’s was created by founders Brozin and Duarte in South Africa after the pair worked together at Brozin’s father’s electronics business, where the Duarte was a technical manager and Brozin a marketing manager.
Duarte hails from Porto in Portugal originally, with his family having emigrated to South Africa. The duo’s backgrounds combined perfectly to conjure up the idea of Nando’s after visiting a Portuguese-Mozambican takeaway named Chickenland and trying chicken with peri-peri.
They immediately purchased that restaurant for around 80,000 rand (worth about £25,000 at the time), renaming it Nando’s after Duarte’s first-born son.
By 1989, the savvy pair had three restaurants in Johannesburg and one in Portugal. In 1992, Capricorn Ventures International acquired the chain and Nando's opened its first site in the UK.
Image Credit: www.arch.photos. Image Location: Nando's, Burnley, England, UK
Nando’s growth in the UK
The first Nando’s restaurants in the UK opened in 1992 in the west London suburbs of Ealing and Earls Court, initially focused on takeaway food.
Robby Enthoven—a South African businessman with Dutch heritage—took over the running of the restaurants in 1993 and was responsible for expanding the chain in the UK.
Under Enthoven the strategy moved from takeaways to a mixed service where customers ordered at the counter and were then provided with table service by staff.
The UK branch of the business became so successful that by 2010 Advertising Age magazine had named Nando’s as one of the world’s top 30 hottest marketing brands and during that same year The Guardian newspaper wrote that the restaurant had “changed the face of British fast food.”
Garlic Churrasco Burger. Image Credit: Nando's
What can you order from Nando’s?
Peri-peri chicken—including whole chickens, half-chickens, wings and thighs—is the main attraction. You can also find chicken burgers, pittas and wraps, salads and bowls and sharing platters. These are just some of the ways you can get your chicken fix at Nando’s. You'll also find a growing vegetarian menu.
African Bird’s Eye Chillies are responsible for the spice behind the chicken, with diners tempted to choose between a scale of hotness including peri-tamer, plain… ish, garlic BBQ, lemon and herb, medium, hot and extra hot.
The bottomless sodas—surprisingly hard to find in the UK—are hugely popular with children and teenagers, while parents and working folk love the comparatively cheap prices and swift service.
You’ll often find Nando’s in cities and towns as well as close to train stations as it makes a great choice for a quick bite on the go.
Cultural train-ing
Now that you've got the lowdown on the British cultural institution that is Nando's, are you up for a "cheeky" one? You can experience this phenomenon first-hand if you're thinking of making it a part of your next vacation to the UK. Download the Trainline app, and we can get you where you need to go by train. Want more food tips for your trip? Check out our articles on the best fish and chips, best Indian food and best afternoon tea spots in London.
Top Image: Chicken Thighs, Fries and Garlic Bread. Image Credit: Nando's