The aroma of flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken drifted through Indooroopilly Shopping Centre this week as Nando's officially opened its newest restaurant in Brisbane’s western suburbs. To mark the occasion, the chain offered the first 100 students in line a free quarter chicken and chips, a gesture that brought eager crowds and plenty of buzz to the launch.
For Nando's, the celebration was about more than just a giveaway. “We’ve been privileged to serve communities across Queensland for more than two decades and are proud to be creating 20 local jobs with this opening,” said Nathan Wyndham, the company’s Queensland regional manager. His comments underscored both the brand’s long-standing ties to the state and its commitment to employment growth at a time when service-sector jobs remain a vital part of local economies.
The Indooroopilly outlet has been designed with flair. Beyond the signature menu, diners will find custom lighting, contemporary furnishings, and striking works from the chain’s South African art collection—the largest privately owned collection of its kind. The result is a space that doubles as a dining venue and a cultural showcase, an approach that has become a hallmark of the Nando's brand.
The new store also represents a chapter in Nando's broader Australian growth strategy. The company plans to open five additional restaurants by the end of 2025, part of a longer-term expansion that reflects both strong consumer demand and the continued resilience of fast-casual dining.
At Indooroopilly, the opening day offered a glimpse of what that strategy means on the ground: students queuing with friends, locals discovering a new lunch option, and 20 new staff members stepping into freshly created roles. For many, it was a small but significant reminder of how food franchises can shape local communities through design, employment, and shared experience.
As the final plates left the kitchen on opening day, it was clear that the event had been more than a promotional stunt. It was a statement of presence—Nando's reaffirming its place in Queensland’s dining landscape while setting the stage for the next wave of expansion across the country.