Nando's has revealed it plans on opening 14 new stores in the UK this financial year following an increase in sales.

The peri-peri chicken chain announced sales had lifted over the past year following “strong customer demand”, surpassing pre-pandemic levels .

Full accounts for the latest financial year also show the business cut its losses despite a “challenging” cost environment.

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Nando's to open 14 new UK stores this financial year

Nando's group chief executive, Rob Papps said the economic backdrop remains “uncertain” but it is pushing forward with more investment to drive growth.

This will include opening a raft of new restaurants over the current financial year, including 14 in the UK.

Nine Nando's stores have already been opened in the UK this financial year in:

  • Edinburgh
  • Newcastle
  • Doncaster
  • Taplow
  • Bognor
  • Watford
  • Northampton
  • Belfast
  • Winchester

But it is yet to be revealed where the next five sites will be opened.

In the financial year to February 2024, the hospitality chain opened 17 restaurants, 11 of them in the UK and Ireland.

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Nando’s said the latest growth plans come after a positive first quarter of its 2024-25 financial year, where it was “extremely encouraged by customer demand”.

However, it stressed cost inflation has stayed at “elevated levels”, highlighting it is still seeking to address its costs across the business.

It came as the group reported revenues grew by 7.5% to £1.37 billion for the year to February 25, compared with the previous year.

Nando’s said it made £86.6 million of capital investment over the year, as it opened more stores and refurbished a number of restaurants.

The accounts also showed Nando’s reduced its pre-tax losses to £50.1 million for the year, from a £86.2 million loss a year earlier.

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However, the group reported an operating profit of £59.8 million for the year.

Mr Papps said: “The 2024 financial year saw Nando’s deliver a good sales performance and a return to pre-pandemic levels of operating profit driven by robust consumer demand for our flame-grilled peri-peri chicken supported by our strong brand and customer proposition.

“Despite the improved sales performance, ongoing cost pressure with energy, labour and food remained very challenging."