South African restaurant brand Nando’s Peri-Peri Chicken is set to open its 12th Virginia location in Fairfax Corner next week, with some freebies offered over the weekend to celebrate.
In anticipation of opening its doors at 11941 Grand Commons Avenue next Monday (Nov. 9), Nando’s will give away free chicken and chips to the first 500 guests starting at noon on Saturday (Nov. 7) as long as supplies last. The Saturday pop-up opening will also include games, giveaways, and a DJ playing South African-inspired tunes.
“Washington, D.C., has been a part of the Nando’s U.S. story from the beginning, and opening at Fairfax Corner is an exciting next step in expanding our presence across the region,” Kimberly Grant, the chain’s CEO, said in a press release.
The chain, which first opened in Johannesburg in 1987, marinates its chicken for at least 24 hours before flame grilling it and basting Peri-Peri sauce to the customer’s preferred spice level.
“That’s what makes our chicken so addictive,” Grant said.
Nando’s says it has “the largest collection of original South African contemporary art on display in the world,” so the Fairfax Corner location will have plenty available to see as well.
Previously home to a boutique clothing store, the new restaurant is close to Joybird, a handcrafted, customizable furniture showroom that opened earlier this month. It has space for more than 100 patrons between indoor and outdoor seating.
The new Nando’s will be the brand’s fourth restaurant in Fairfax County, joining existing locations in Reston’s RTC West, Springfield Town Center, and the Mosaic District in Merrifield.
Dozens more are located across the wider D.C. metro region, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas. The brand also has a large international presence, with restaurants in Canada, the UK, Republic of Ireland, Pakistan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and a number of other countries.
“Now Nando’s fans,” Grant said, “can enjoy their flame-grilled favorites in a vibrant new space where South African art and thoughtful design touches give Nando’s Fairfax Corner a character all its own.”
