Nando’s PERi-PERi announced March 26 that it will keep nearly all its 92 restaurants open in the US and Canada for at least the next two weeks, to continue to employ its 2,600-person U.S. and Canadian workforce.
“Today’s decision means that we are keeping some restaurants open that are barely generating revenue, just so that we can keep our employees paid and engaged,” says John Fisher, the Nando’s North American CEO. “We want the communities we serve to know that Nando’s is here for you. And we are here for our Nandocas, or workers, that we have always proudly called our family.”
Nando’s will stay open for takeout and delivery in Chicago, Washington, Maryland, Virginia and throughout Canada, for the next two weeks, and hopefully longer. There will be exceptions for any jurisdiction that orders restaurants to close altogether. Nando’s will make accommodations for any Nandoca who is not comfortable working in our restaurants at this time.
Staying Open … With Safety
Nando’s is committed to staying open safely, and that means strictly enforcing social distancing for employees and customers. The company will allow a maximum of 10 Nandocas and customers per restaurant at any given time, and will constantly enforce elevated hygiene. All Nando’s employees must continue to frequently wash hands; clean all surfaces, and stay home when feeling ill. Nando’s will continue to do health checks at the beginning and end of each shift, and leave to-go orders at the front of its stores.
Largest Community Service Program in Nando’s NA History
As of Thursday, March 26, Nando’s has been:
Bringing hot catered meals to hospitals near every Nando’s in North America, to provide comfort and sustenance to the nurses, doctors and hospitals workers struggling to keep us all safe and alive. On the house
Providing free Nando’s takeout to any nurse, doctor or healthcare worker who shows up at a Nando’s in uniform or with a valid healthcare ID, or calls to place a to-go order and presents ID at collection
Allocating 50 free meals per day per restaurant for laid-off members of the restaurant industry. They can walk in and take away Nando’s with pride
Donating all surplus food, packaged and non-expired, to local area food banks
Providing free family meals for our Nandoca families in need
Paying it forward. Any customer or Nandoca can pay the gift of a family meal forward to the neediest members of their community. Customers will be encouraged to buy a meal for a laid-off industry worker or medical personnel
“At Nando’s, we will Stand Together, 6 Feet Apart. We don’t just serve chicken. We serve the community. We’re all in this together,” Fisher says.