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Chicago Fire Players Take Over New Nando’s PERi-PERi in the South Loop

Nando's 2016

CHICAGO (July 19, 2016) – Nando’s PERi-PERi, the South African-Portuguese restaurant known worldwide for its spicy flame-grilled chicken, hatches its seventh Chicago-area restaurant on Sunday, July 24, at 1005 South Delano Court in the Roosevelt Collection.


On Saturday July 30, Chicago Fire soccer stars will “take over” the Nando’s grills at the new South Loop location, delivering succulent PERi-PERi chicken to hungry fans. Nando’s will pay it forward by donating 100 percent of sales on July 30 to the Chicago Fire Foundation, which improves the lives of disadvantaged youth in and around Chicago.


“Nando’s is thrilled to partner again with the Fire to warm up Chicago,” said Burton Heiss, CEO of Nando’s PERi-PERi USA.


“It’s wonderful to see a company like Nando’s invested in this city to join with the Chicago Fire Foundation to give back to the community,” added Chicago Fire Foundation Executive Director Jessica Yavitz.


Playing With Fire 
Scheduled to appear at Nando’s include general manager Nelson Rodriguez, goalkeepers Matt Lampson and Patrick McLain, defender Patrick Doody, midfielders Drew Conner, Matt Polster and Michael Stephens, and forwards Joey Calistri and Alex Morrell. They will turn up the heat at Nando’s in South Loop with player appearances from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT on July 30. The restaurant is opened from 11a.m. to 9 p.m. that day, with all sales throughout the day going to the Chicago Fire Foundation.


Seven Chicago Restaurants....and Counting
Nando’s moved to Chicago in spring 2015 and has quickly opened five restaurants in the city, plus locations in Naperville and Oak Park. The newest Nando’s is located at Roosevelt Collection between W. Roosevelt Rd. and W. Harrison St. at 1005 S. Delano Ct.
Nando’s has built an intensely loyal following, from London to the Loop, by providing fresh food in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly service. Nando’s is known worldwide for its succulent PERi-PERi chicken, marinated for 24 hours, flame-grilled to perfection, and basted to the customer’s preferred flavor and spice.
Every Nando’s is painstakingly designed and completely unique, with earthy textures and bright colors that reflect its sunny African-Portuguese heritage. The new Nando’s in the Roosevelt Collection is no exception and features a panoramic view of the Loop skyline. With thousands of pieces of original works of art that are a constant reminder of where the restaurant came from, Nando’s has become the largest collector of South African contemporary art in the world. In the United States alone, there are more than 600 pieces of original African art in Nando’s restaurants.
“We believe that authentic contemporary African art can create truly surprising experiences and keep us connected to our roots,” Heiss added.
WHAT: Grand Opening of the new Nando’s in the South Loop
WHEN: Grand Opening is Sunday, July 24, at 11 a.m. Regular restaurant hours are 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., with weekend hours extending until 11 p.m.
WHERE: Nando’s PERi-PERi, 1005 South Delano Court in the Roosevelt Collection
CHICAGO FIRE TAKEOVER: The Chicago Fire Takeover is Saturday, July 30. Player appearances are from 1:30 to 7 p.m. The restaurant is opened from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day, with all sales (excluding alcohol) throughout the day going to the Chicago Fire Foundation