Former Nando’s worker reveals what really goes on behind the scenes

Cheeky Nando's?

A Nando's restaurant (Getty Images)

Nando’s is one of the most popular restaurant chains in the UK. But even an aficionado of the chicken eatery couldn’t know as much about what really goes on as a member of staff.

And now one former Nando’s employee has spoken out to reveal some of the secrets that most members of the public aren’t aware of.

From the ways people try and impress their dates to why it might be best to skip the olives, the former Nandoca spilled the beans on all things Nando’s.

1. When on a date, some people order lemon and herb chicken but ask for it to come with an extra hot sticker so their companion thinks they’re better at handling spice than they really are.

2. Staff are served a meal every five hours and can order what they want - this means they get to know the menu very well and also become good at ordering off-menu items.

3. But because there’s only so much chicken one person can eat, the staff sometimes swap food with other local takeaways. A whole chicken for a pizza? Sounds fair.

4. The chicken isn’t organic and it arrives at the restaurants already marinated.

5. The chips at Nando’s are supplied by McCain - the same company you can buy for yourself in the supermarket.

6. Staff are told only to serve one layer of olives in a ramekin and they’re bulked up by garlic too, so the ex-Nandoca doesn’t recommend them.

7. Working at Nando’s can certainly have its perks - staff often get to take food home be that because it’s about to expire or someone has sent something back. “My best ever haul was four whole chickens and half a carrot cake,” the former employee told the Leicester Mercury.

8. Black cards - which entitle holders to one year’s worth of meals at Nando’s for a maximum of five people - are usually given out to celebrities who’ll promote Nando’s on social media.

9. Staff know people order tap water then try and serve themselves soft drinks from the refill machines. They’re watching. And they will charge you accordingly.

10. It’s particularly common at the weekend for people to try and sneak spirits in to have with ‘mixer’ from Nando’s - but this would see them swiftly being kicked out of the restaurant.