South African-Portuguese-themed chicken restaurant Nando’s PERi-PERi will kick off its official Hyde Park launch with special days aimed at Kenwood Academy High School and UChicago students, faculty, and staff.
For its grand opening on Saturday, January 14, Nando’s will donate 100 percent of the day’s sales to neighboring Kenwood Academy to help fund college visits for the school’s students. The restaurant, located at 1447 E. 53rd Street, will be open from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and customers will pay standard Nando’s prices, with all the day’s receipts contributed to the school.
“Nearly nine out of every 10 Kenwood Academy graduates continue on to a four-year institution, and we are proud to help support this outstanding tradition,” Burton Heiss, CEO of Nando’s PERi-PERi, said in a statement. “It’s all about being good neighbors, and Nando’s looks forward to becoming an integral part of the South Side.’”
On Tuesday, January 17, University of Chicago students, faculty, or staff members can receive one free spicy flame-grilled 1/4 chicken, chicken sandwich, wrap, or pita when they dine in at the restaurant and show a valid UChicago identification between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. (see full terms and conditions below).
The Hyde Park Nando’s, located in the space formerly occupied by Clarke’s Diner, will employ approximately 40 people. Ninety percent of its employees are South Side residents. Kristin Letsinger, general manager of the Hyde Park location explained that half of its workers are new employees are from the local neighborhood and the other half are current Nando’s employees who were excited to transfer to a location closer to home. The restaurant will be open for business Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The first Nando’s opened in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the company has expanded to include 1,200 restaurants in 23 countries on five continents. Each location features original works of art to convey its African-Portuguese origins, and Nando’s is known as the largest collector of South African contemporary art in the world.
The Hyde Park Nando’s includes an exterior corrugated-metal mural, as well as other works hand-painted in Hyde Park by South African street artist Kilmany-Jo Liversagein November 2016.
*UChicago Event Terms & Conditions: Only available on Tuesday, January 17th between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm CST at Nando’s PERi-PERi located at 1447 E. 53RD Street, Chicago. One free 1/4 chicken, chicken sandwich, wrap, or pita per person, on a first come first served basis, dine-in only. You need to pay for any extras, including sides or drinks (only if you want them!). Must present valid UChicago ID. Dine-in only; no delivery or to-go orders. Not valid at any other Nando’s location.
