Nando’s PERi-PERi honors Nelson Mandela’s legacy by fighting food insecurity — one meal at a time

This Friday, July 18, Nando’s PERi-PERi — the South African restaurant brand known for its spicy flame-grilled chicken — is inviting guests across the U.S. to turn compassion into action by joining a nationwide food drive in honor of Nelson Mandela Day.

The reward? Good karma and complimentary flame-grilled chicken and chips (aka fries).

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., all U.S. Nando’s locations, including the location in Dunwoody and the one that opened earlier this year at The Forum in Peachtree Corners, will offer a free ¼ chicken and PERi chips to guests who donate non-perishable food items.

About the cause

Nelson Mandela Day is a global celebration of the life, legacy and activism of South Africa’s beloved leader, Nelson Mandela. Each year on July 18 — Mandela’s birthday — individuals and organizations around the world are encouraged to devote 67 minutes to doing good, symbolizing the 67 years Mandela spent fighting for social justice, equality and human rights.

With deep South African roots and a mission to serve the neighborhoods that its restaurants call home, Nando’s is launching Nando’s Pantry Raid, a community-focused campaign to fight food insecurity in honor Mandela’s vision of unity and compassion.

By simply raiding your pantry for 67 seconds and bringing those non-perishable donations into Nando’s, guests can enjoy a flavorful meal while helping neighbors in need. All food donations collected will be distributed to local food banks and pantries to support families facing hunger.

In metro Atlanta, donations will go to PAWKids, a local nonprofit and community hub that supports Atlanta families with education, wellness and essential resources.

Nando’s Pantry Raid for Mandela Day details

• WHEN: Friday, July 18, 2025 | 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• WHAT: Get a free 1⁄4 chicken and PERi chips in exchange for a non-perishable food donation, which will go to PAWKids.
• WHERE: All Nando’s restaurants across the U.S.
• HOW: Bring in at least one non-perishable food item. Get rewarded with a hot, fresh meal — on Nando’s.

“All it takes is one small act of kindness,” said Sepanta Bagherpour, chief marketing officer at Nando’s PERi-PERi. “This Mandela Day, we encourage everyone to take just 67 seconds to do something good and leave with a full heart and a full plate.”

For more information visit nandosperiperi.com or follow @nandosusa on Instagram.

Explore Gwinnett celebrates a decade of culinary creativity with $10 chef-crafted burgers at 23 locally owned restaurants

Explore Gwinnett, the official tourism organization of Gwinnett County, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its popular Gwinnett Burger Week. Making its anticipated return March 17–23, 2025, the event invites burger lovers to enjoy exclusive, chef-crafted creations for just $10 at 23 locally owned restaurants across the county.

“We are proud to celebrate a decade of Gwinnett Burger Week and the incredible talent of some of our very best local chefs,” said Lisa Anders, chief operating officer of Explore Gwinnett.

“What started as a way to highlight locally owned eateries has grown into a beloved tradition, and we cannot wait for the community to see what we have in store for them this year!”

Throughout the week, each of 23 participating restaurants will feature an exclusive, off-menu burger.

Peachtree Corners highlights include:

• “The Alma” at Marlow’s Tavern — a perfectly seasoned and grilled burger with salsa verde, pepper jack, fried jalapenos, avocado, tortilla strips, lettuce, tomato and onion on a buttered sesame brioche bun.

• “The Blue Flame” at LOL Burger Bar — a 5 oz. premium beef patty topped with homemade macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, blue cheese crumbles and the restaurant’s secret sauce to add a bit of spice.

• “Fired Up Burger” at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill — a wood-grilled burger, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno bacon jam, fried onions and tangy mayo topped with fried pickles garnish.

• “K-BBQ Burger” at Stäge — an Angus beef smash burger with Korean BBQ glaze, roasted cheese corn, house-pickled veggies and gochujang mayo on a sesame brioche bun.

Gwinnett Burger Week digital pass

Back for its second year, the Gwinnett Burger Week Digital Pass encourages diners to check in at participating restaurants and earn points throughout the week, which are redeemable for prizes.

Each check-in is worth one point. Points can be redeemed for exclusive Gwinnett Burger Week merchandise from Explore Gwinnett, including restaurant gift cards, t-shirts, totes, sicker packs and a special edition 10th anniversary burger sticker designed by Lawrenceville-based artist Max Eve in celebration of this milestone.

Diners can also vote for their favorite burger by uploading an image of their receipt to the Gwinnett Burger Week website.

The Wall of Fame

Participants who track their dining experience at 10 or more restaurants throughout the week will be inducted into the Gwinnett Burger Week Wall of Fame with their photo published on Explore Gwinnett’s website.

“Our 10th anniversary milestone reflects the passion and creativity of Gwinnett County’s culinary community and the enthusiasm of all those who make this event a success year after year,” said Anders. “We can’t wait to indulge in the exclusive $10 burger creations ourselves, as we toast to 10 years of one of our favorite events!”

More details

To sign up for the Gwinnett Burger Week Pass, visit ExploreGwinnett.org/Gwinnett-Burger-Week/Burger-Week-Prize-Pass and provide the participant’s name, e-mail address and mobile phone number. A link will be sent to the participant’s phone, allowing them to access the pass and add the pass icon to their home screen.

For a full list of participating restaurants and limited-time burger offerings, visit exploregwinnett.org/gwinnett-burger-week.

Stay up-to-date on the latest Explore Gwinnett news by following @ExploreGwinnett on Instagram or ExploreGwinnett on Facebook. Diners are encouraged to share their experience on social media by using the hashtag #GwinnettBurgerWeek.

The South African fast-casual favorite expands in Georgia, bringing its signature flame-grilled spice and art-filled interiors to Peachtree Corners

Less than six months after opening its flagship Atlanta-area location at Perimeter’s High Street, world-famous South African restaurant brand Nando’s PERi-PERi opened its second Georgia restaurant to the public — for lunch and dinner service — on Tuesday, February 25.

Located within the premier mixed-used development and outdoor lifestyle center The Forum Peachtree Corners, Nando’s PERi-PERi is ready to offer its beloved flame-grilled chicken dishes, signature hot sauces and more to Atlanta-area locals and visitors alike.

“Atlanta has shown us so much love with the opening of our first location at High Street, so we couldn’t be more thrilled to expand our footprint in Georgia by bringing Nando’s to The Forum Peachtree Corners,” said Sepanta Bagherpour, chief brand officer at Nando’s PERi-PERi. “As a brand so rooted in community, we are excited to be a part of this lively hub where food, fun and connection unite.”

PERi-PERi flavor

Nando’s is known around the world for their flavorful flame-grilled chicken, and the concept’s popularity can be traced to PERi-PERi — or African Bird’s Eye Chili — the heart and soul of the Nando’s experience.

“We marinate our chicken in PERi-PERi for at least 24-hours, so the flavor goes right through to the bone,” Bagherpour explained. “Then we grill it over an open flame and baste it with PERi-PERi sauce to the customer’s preferred spice level. That’s what makes our chicken so addictive.”

Nando’s sources its PERi-PERi in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa via a network of 1,400 local farmers who are empowered with upfront access to funds, equipment and seedlings. And before the growing season even starts, they are guaranteed a fair price purchase commitment.

Warm space and friendly service

Nando’s intensely loyal following has not only been driven by its high-quality food, but also by its friendly service presented in a relaxed atmosphere that elevates the typical fine-fast casual experience.

Every Nando’s location is uniquely designed with earthy textures and vibrant colors that reflect its sunny African heritage while retaining a sense of place in which it lives and breathes.

The restaurant’s location in Peachtree Corners is no exception.

Designed by Fusion, Nando’s at The Forum is packed with custom lighting, furniture and authentic art imported from South Africa, showcasing the strong ties to its cultural heritage.

On a prominent corner within the newly refurbished open-air development, the new Nando’s visibility is boosted by its large, canopy-covered outdoor seating area. Inside the restaurant, guests will feel warm and welcome with design elements that balance the contrast of raw, textural finishes and saturated hits of color and pattern.

A great fit for The Forum

“As we continue energizing The Forum with new experiences for guests, Nando’s PERi-PERi stood out as an international favorite that would excite the community,” said Adam Schewgman, director and head of retail leasing at Jamestown. “From the inventive menu options to the meticulously selected design elements, we’re looking forward to giving visitors a taste of South Africa right here in Peachtree Corners.”

About Nando’s PERi-PERi

Since making its 1987 debut in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nando’s has spread its flame to legions of fans in 24 countries on five continents. The company entered the US market in 2008 with the opening of its first location in Washington, D.C., and now operates nearly 50 restaurants in and around Virginia, Maryland, Washington, Chicago, Texas and now Georgia.

For more information visit nandosperiperi.com or follow @nandosusa on Instagram.