Earlier this week ToNeTo Atlanta was first to report on the planned Atlanta market entry of popular South African chicken chain Nando's PERi PERi. While we then knew of just one location, a real estate source now tells us a second location is also confirmed and will likely be the first to open.
At roughly 3,500 square feet, the Peachtree Corners Nando's will be a bit larger than the Dunwoody restaurant which will reportedly be about 3,300 square feet. In Peachtree Corners, Nando's will open in place of Thai Spice which after a long run in the development closed a few years ago.
The space - 5161 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 605 - is an endcap unit beside Van Michael Salon and across from both HomeGoods and Belk.
As opposed to High Street - which is still being built - the Peachtree Corners space is an existing second generation restaurant, so renovations should be easier to complete with sources close to the restaurant suggesting that both will open this year, but with The Forum likely first.
Nando’s was founded in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1987. The chain's first American unit debuted in Washington D.C. in 2008. Today Nando's operates more than 1,200 restaurants across 30 countries. The central ingredient in many of the restaurant's sauces is the Peri Peri chili, also known as African bird's eye chili. The sauces are typically a blend of this chili with ingredients like garlic, lemon, oil, and various herbs.
The Nando's menu features a rather diverse selection of offerings that includes sandwiches, skewers, platters, bowls, salads, wings, wraps, pitas, and more. A veggie burger is also offered as are other vegetarian-friendly options such as roasted brussels sprouts, "PERi honey sweet potatoes," and "PERi Mac," among other choices. The restaurant's website suggests that entree prices start at about ten bucks with some offerings - such as the 12 wing with two sides platter - costing as much as $22.19.
Fans of the hit Apple TV show Ted Lasso may be familiar with Nando's from their sponsorship of A.F.C. Richmond, the show's fictitious football team. Nando's famous chicken logo is displayed on the sleeve of the team's players in the show's third season.
Similar to Cava which had a presence in metro Atlanta grocery stores before launching their restaurants locally in 2021, Nando's, too, has a consumer packaged goods (CPG) presence in local Publix and Walmart stores with their sauces, spreads, and dressings. The company has in recent days posted job listings on LinkedIn seeking a General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and Restaurant Manager for an upcoming "Atlanta" location.
At The Forum, Nando's is expected to join a host of new options at the upgraded center including a new food hall from Will Donaldson of Politan Row and Cookie Fix, a growing cookie franchise from Birmingham, Alabama, among other additions. Peche, a new restaurant from Saltie Butter, LLC, the same group that opened Stäge Peachtree Corners in 2021, recently opened at The Forum. Located in the former Grace 17.20 space, Peche features a “modern coastal” feel with an emphasis on fresh seafood.
Have you ever tried Nando's? Where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see Nando's open? What other restaurants or retailers would you like to see open at The Forum?
Please share your thoughts below.
3 comments:
I would love a Nando's somewhere on the Eastside
Love Nando’s! Great spicy sauces and delicious chicken meals. Excited to try the new metro Atlanta locations soon.
Good food and love their sauces, but a typical meal with two sides easily goes over $20. Pushes well past the norms for fast casual pricing. Do enjoy having Nandos bottled products available at Publix.
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