Nando’s launches its first Casa Quadrado in South Africa in Kathorus, a container restaurant with a drive-thru

By CityLIfe Arts Writer

Reporting live from Katlehong, aka K1 in the Kathorus (Katlehong, Thokoza, Vosloorus) region – Nando’s has joined the ranks of innovative artisans like dribbling wizard Emmanuel “Scara – Black Jesus” Ngobese and rapper Kwesta, by establishing a footprint in the hood.

The popular restaurant chain has launched on Sunday  its first-ever Casa Quadrado in South Africa, a container restaurant with a drive-thru, at Sam Ntuli Mall in K1 where Khumalo and Masakhane Streets intersect.

K’right!

Nando’s Katlehong is all about offering you choices that will make your taste buds dance with joy! The kasi economy is thriving, and we want to be a part of it in a way that supports its continued growth and creates additional opportunities. There’s enough flavour to go around, and now the people of Katlehong have their own Afro-Luso casa to call and make their own.

The objective is to bring Nando’s flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken closer to everyone in South Africa, while making a positive impact on people’s lives. The Casa Quadrado has 26 seats, is wheelchair-friendly, Halaal certified, offers a full menu, a drive-thru, and is the only Nando’s within a 10km radius.

“Come on down and experience our delicious menu that’s full of flavour and packed with choices that will have you coming back for more!

Booking.com

In this unique spot, the good people of Kathorus can indulge in a feast for the senses – enjoying some of the finest art, design, and music that Southern Africa has to offer, all while savouring the delicious flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken. Whether you prefer to dine in, take away, or have your PERi-fix delivered straight to your doorstep, this space has got you covered.

The Casa Quadrado model, which was first launched in Zambia in 2021, is part of the company’s strategy to diversify its footprint. Nando’s can now scale its restaurant formats, starting from a counter-only model to small or large dine-in restaurants, standalone drive-thru buildings, or through an actual building,”Nando’s says in a statement.

This agile model is an exciting development for the company, allowing Nando’s to establish a fully-equipped drive-thru in a location that may not have otherwise allowed for a traditional “bricks and mortar” building. It is quicker to establish on-site, and if necessary, the structure can be moved or even scaled up if the need arises.

“We are thrilled to open our first Casa Quadrado container restaurant in Katlehong. We are committed to investing in the area by creating spaces where the community can get together over a good meal, catch up on some work (free wifi!) and even benefit from the jobs that have been created by this new store opening.

“This is the first of two Casa Quadrados that are planned to be built as part of a trial for this new format, as we look to expand across the country,” said Erika Smit, General Manager: Regional Marketing at Nando’s.