Flavoured with passion, crafted with the right business intent


September 22, 2023 | By Rupkatha B

George Kunnappally, Managing Director, Nando’s UAE

George Kunnappally, Managing Director of Nando’s UAE, is a seasoned hospitality industry professional, who has been into F&B franchise operations, management and brand development for 25 years. He has launched and/or grown brands such as Subway, Charley’s Philly Steaks, Whittard of Chelsea, Bateaux Dubai, Second Cup Coffee, Johnny Rockets and a host of UAE bred concepts in the Middle East, Africa and CIS regions. 

Starting his career with the Taj Hotels in India, Kunnappally has worked at the senior management level with large conglomerates headquartered in Dubai with a MENA footprint. He is on the advisory board of the UAE Superbrands Council, UAE Restaurants Group (under the aegis of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Middle East Food Forum and Fast Food & Cafe Convention. 

Nando’s is a people first business, and any digital or technological investments are purely driven by consumer need or to improve the customer experience. The brand has implemented Pay at the Table solution, waiter paging system for outdoor tables, inventory management system for better utilisation of stocks and food prep forecasting for speed of service.

Inspired by the PERi-PERi flavour, from day one, Fernando Duarte and Robbie Brozin had great ambitions to build a business around it. In South Africa at first, but it wasn’t long before the brand moved abroad – now present on five continents, across 19 countries and with over 1,200 restaurants, more affectionately known as “Casas” – the Portuguese word for “home”. 

The Nando’s flame first ignited in the UAE in 2002, when franchisee Suhail Gidwani, Chairman & CEO of Nando’s UAE LLC, opened the first Casa on Sheikh Zayed Road. Nando’s currently employs people from 20 different nationalities across the 20 restaurants and 1 dark kitchen, Central Support (head office) and call centre in the UAE. Despite incurring heavy losses in FY2020 owning to the detrimental effects of the pandemic, Nando’s UAE broke even in FY2021 and recorded its best year since launching the business 20 years ago in FY2022.

Previous Article Next Article

SHARE

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE /


Majid Al Futtaim Retail commits to Collaborative Impact Goals at COP28

Majid Al Futtaim Retail, which owns the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour 

Continue Reading

December 8, 2023 | By Rupkatha B
BinDawood Holding Company earns Honorary Shield for Compliance Excellence

BinDawood Holding Company has earned an Honorary Shield, a distinguished recognition by 

Continue Reading

December 6, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
First Movers Coalition for Food to create up to $20-bn value chain for sustainable farming

The World Economic Forum, with support from the Government of the United 

Continue Reading

December 5, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
Food consumption in the GCC to grow at a steady pace

Food consumption in the GCC is set to grow at a CAGR 

Continue Reading

November 29, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
Carrefour urges customers to ‘Choose Better’

Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim in the UAE, has set up 

Continue Reading

November 28, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
GMG opens Monoprix outlet in Abu Dhabi

GMG’s Everyday Goods – Retail division is now expanding into the country’s 

Continue Reading

November 27, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
Spinneys to open second store in Riyadh’s KAFD in partnership with Al-Hokair Group

Following a partnership deal between food and grocery retailer Spinneys Dubai and 

Continue Reading

November 22, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
From a small home kitchen to becoming B Corp certified: The Hello Chef journey

Ask any entrepreneur worth their salt and they will tell you the 

Continue Reading

November 20, 2023 | By Rupkatha B
Agthia Group

A regional food and beverage (F&B) major Agthia Group PJSC has signed 

Continue Reading

November 2, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
Double-digit e-commerce growth for UAE & KSA food industry amid inflationary pressures: NielsenIQ

Amid constraints of current inflationary pressures leading to significant price hikes averaging 

Continue Reading

October 25, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau
InFlavour to showcase diversity of KSA’s F&B sector

Global heavyweights from around the world are confirming their participation at InFlavour, 

Continue Reading

September 6, 2023 | By RetailME Bureau




Download Images RetailME Magazine