Nando’s UAE MD George Kunnappally on the Peri-Peri chicken brand’s growth in the UAE

George Kunnappally, the managing director of Nando’s UAE, oversees the popular chain known for its flame-grilled Peri-peri chicken across more than 20 locations in the country. He discusses with Gulf Business the expansion of the chain in the country as well as the GCC.

Speaking to Gulf Business‘ group editor Gareth Van Zyl, Kunnappally highlights the brand’s evolution from a small location in Johannesburg, South Africa, to becoming a globally recognised brand with a presence in over 20 countries.

Nando’s is celebrated for introducing Peri-peri sauce — a zesty and spicy sauce central to Portuguese and Mozambican cuisine — into the mainstream. The brand is one of South Africa’s most successful exports, growing from a few locations in the 1980s to over 1,250 outlets worldwide, three decades later.

For the year ending February 2023, the restaurant chain’s revenues reached GBP1.2bn.

Tune in to the conversation to learn more about Kunnappally’s perspective on competitors, customising the menu to cater to local tastes, and serving a city with an international demographic. He also speaks about adapting the brand’s messaging to local sensibilities while retaining Nando’s witty take on current events and social issues, which has used humour to make bold statements.

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