Nando’s Australia and New Zealand will open 25 new restaurants across both markets over the next three years, creating 1,000 new jobs as the Afro-Portuguese chain accelerates its growth trajectory.
The expansion reveal comes as the brand opened its sixth restaurant for 2025 in Castle Hill, north-west of Sydney’s CBD, this month, with three more locations planned for openings before Christmas.
“Over the next three years, we’re turning up the heat on growth and opening another 25 Nando’s restaurants across Australia and New Zealand, growing our workforce by 1,000 people,” Amanda Banfield, CEO of Nando’s Australia and New Zealand, told Restaurant Business. “Castle Hill marks our sixth new restaurant for 2025, following openings in VIC, NSW, QLD and TAS.”
The Castle Hill location, situated at The Piazza at Castle Towers Shopping Centre, showcases the brand’s design evolution with alfresco dining featuring festoon lighting, South African planters and Nando’s signature neon cockerel. Inside, African-inspired ceiling panels complement the brand’s signature self-serve condiment station finished in Kalki tiles and cork, nodding to its Afro-Portuguese heritage.
“Castle Hill is buzzing right now with new homes, new faces, and a growing sense of community,” said Sarah Stokes, Nando’s NSW Regional General Manager. “We’re thrilled to be firing up the grill here and bringing PERi-PERi chicken to Castle Hill locals.”
Confidence in the ANZ market
The expansion strategy signals Nando’s confidence in the Australian market as the chain continues to build on its flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken concept. The brand’s growth plan this year has seen new locations opening across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.
Banfield emphasised the company’s commitment to maintaining momentum: “We plan to continue this momentum with a further three openings before Christmas, bringing our iconic flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken to more local communities.”
The Castle Hill restaurant offers features including bottomless beverages, positioning the brand to deliver value alongside its signature menu offerings as it targets growing suburban communities across Australia and New Zealand.
