Can You Open a Nando's Restaurant as a Franchise?

By UKFO Editorial · 28 August 2026

Many aspiring entrepreneurs dream of owning a popular restaurant chain like Nando's. This article explores whether Nando's operates on a franchise model in the UK and what options are available for those looking to invest in a similar food business.

The Short Answer: A Peri-Peri Disappointment

For aspiring restaurateurs across the United Kingdom, the idea of opening a Nando’s is the ultimate dream. The brand is a cultural phenomenon, synonymous with good times, great food, and a fiercely loyal customer base. The question we hear more than almost any other is a simple one: can you open a Nando’s restaurant as a franchise?

The simple answer, unfortunately, is no. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Nando’s does not offer franchises to the public. Every one of the hundreds of Nando's restaurants you see on British high streets, in retail parks, and at service stations is company-owned and operated. The parent company, Nando's Group Holdings, maintains complete control over its UK operations, from the sourcing of its famous chillies to the training of every griller.

While this might be a setback for your ambitions, it’s crucial to understand why they’ve chosen this path and, more importantly, what excellent alternatives exist within the thriving UK franchise market.

Why Nando’s Keeps its UK Flock Company-Owned

It may seem counterintuitive for such a successful brand to eschew the franchise model, which is renowned for facilitating rapid growth. However, for a company as protective of its brand identity as Nando’s, the corporate-owned model offers several key advantages in its most mature market.

Total Brand and Quality Control: The Nando’s experience is meticulously crafted, from the Afro-Portuguese art on the walls to the precise spice level of an Extra Hot half-chicken. By owning every restaurant, the company ensures that this experience is delivered with unwavering consistency. There is no risk of a franchisee cutting corners or diluting the brand ethos.
Full Profit Retention: While franchising generates revenue through fees and royalties, owning a restaurant outright means the parent company retains 100% of the profits. Given the popularity and profitability of its UK stores, this represents a colossal income stream that Nando's is understandably reluctant to share.
Agility and Innovation: Introducing a new menu item, a digital ordering system, or a restaurant redesign across a corporate network is far simpler than rolling it out across a network of independent franchise owners. Nando's can test, refine, and implement new ideas quickly and uniformly.
Simplified Operations: Managing a network of company employees and managers, while complex, can be more straightforward than managing relationships with dozens or hundreds of individual business owners, each with their own goals and perspectives.

It is worth noting that Nando's does use a franchise model in some international markets, such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, where it needed local expertise to establish the brand. In the UK, however, where it has deep roots and market dominance, the corporate model is its unwavering strategy.

Exploring Alternatives: Your UK Food Franchise Opportunities

So, the door to a Nando’s franchise is closed. But your dream of running a successful, high-energy food business doesn't have to end here. The UK food and beverage franchise sector is booming, offering a huge range of exciting and profitable opportunities. If the Nando’s model appeals to you, consider these alternative avenues.

Direct Competitors: The Piri-Piri & Casual Chicken Scene

The demand for grilled chicken is not exclusive to Nando's. Several franchise brands have carved out a significant market share by offering their own take on the piri-piri phenomenon or other casual chicken concepts.

Pepe’s Piri Piri: A major player in the UK, Pepe’s has built a large network of franchised stores. They focus on a fresh, flame-grilled model with a flavour profile that directly appeals to the Nando's customer. The investment level is often more accessible, providing a strong entry point into the market.
Chicken Cottage: A long-standing name on the British high street, Chicken Cottage has evolved from a fried chicken focus to also embrace grilled options and a broader menu. It has strong brand recognition and a well-established franchise system.
Other Emerging Brands: The market is dynamic. Keep an eye out for newer, fast-growing chicken brands that are actively seeking franchisees to fuel their UK expansion. These can offer prime territories and the chance to get in on the ground floor.

Beyond Chicken: The Fast-Casual Dining Franchise Market

Part of the Nando’s appeal is its position as a leader in the "fast-casual" dining space – a step up from fast food, but more relaxed and affordable than traditional full-service restaurants. This is one of the fastest-growing segments in the hospitality industry.

Gourmet Burger Franchises: Brands that elevate the humble burger with quality ingredients and a modern dining environment have proven exceptionally popular.
Street Food Concepts: Franchises based on popular global street food, such as German Doner Kebab or Wok to Walk, offer exciting, on-trend menus in a fast-casual setting. These brands are expanding aggressively across the UK.
Pizza and Pasta Restaurants: While established, there is always room for innovation. Look for pizza franchises that focus on authentic ingredients, quick service, and a strong brand identity.

What to Look For in a Nando’s Alternative

Once you’ve identified potential brands, the real work begins. Your ambition to run a Nando's suggests you have a high standard and a significant level of capital to invest. You must apply that same rigour to assessing any alternative franchise opportunity.

Financial Viability and Investment

A high-street restaurant franchise is a significant financial commitment. You need to scrutinise the numbers.

Total Investment: This will range from around £150,000 to over £500,000. This figure includes the initial franchise fee (the right to use the brand name and system), shop fit-out costs (which are often substantial for a food business), equipment, initial stock, and working capital to cover costs before you turn a profit.
Ongoing Fees: You will pay a monthly Management Service Fee (often called a royalty), which is typically a percentage of your gross turnover (e.g., 5-8%). There is also usually a Marketing Levy (e.g., 1-3%) that contributes to national advertising campaigns.
Funding: Most major UK high-street banks have specialist franchise departments. They look favourably upon established, ethical franchise brands and may be willing to lend up to 70% of the total investment, depending on the strength of the brand and your personal financial situation.

The Quality of the Franchise Package

A good franchisor provides more than just a name. They provide a comprehensive business-in-a-box. The disclosure pack or franchise prospectus they provide should detail an extensive support system:

Training: Comprehensive initial training on every aspect of the business, from food preparation and hygiene standards to using the point-of-sale system and managing staff.
Site Selection and Fit-Out: Support in identifying and securing a suitable location, which is one of the most critical factors for success in the food industry. They should also provide project management support for the restaurant's construction and design.
Launch Support: A team to help you execute a successful grand opening and initial marketing push.
Ongoing Support: A dedicated field support manager, regular performance reviews, and continuous menu and systems development.

Conducting Your Due Diligence

The UK franchise industry is largely self-regulated. While organisations like the Quality Franchise Association (QFA) provide a benchmark for ethical franchising, the onus is on you to do your homework.

Step 1: Scrutinise the Information Pack. The franchisor’s prospectus is your starting point. Review their financial projections, but treat them with caution. Ask tough questions about how they were formulated.

Step 2: Speak to Existing Franchisees. This is the single most important part of your research. A good franchisor will encourage you to speak to anyone in their network. Ask them about the reality of running the business, the accuracy of the financial projections, and the quality of the support they receive. Ask what they would do differently if they were starting again.

Step 3: Appoint Professionals. Never sign a franchise agreement without professional advice. You will need a solicitor who specialises in franchising to review the contract, and an accountant to help you build a robust business plan and verify the financial model.

Conclusion: Your Entrepreneurial Flame Can Still Burn Bright

While the path to owning a Nando’s in the UK is blocked, the spirit of your ambition is precisely what is needed to succeed in the franchise world. The desire to run a vibrant, popular, and profitable restaurant can be fulfilled by a multitude of other high-quality brands.

By channelling your disappointment into diligent research, you will discover that the UK franchise market is rich with opportunities that offer a similar fast-casual energy, strong brand support, and the potential for immense personal and financial reward. The "cheeky Nando's" may remain a customer experience for you, but your journey as a successful restaurant owner could be just beginning with another, equally exciting brand.