Partnership Playbook
Everything it means to be a Partner at Nando's — the mindset, the behaviours, and how we create shared value together.
Download PDFWhat is Partnership?
Partnership is made up of the Leaders of the Nando's Family. From the very beginning, our founders Robbie and Fernando wanted to make money, have fun and change lives.
It's an acknowledgement for the leaders who live and breathe our Compass and keep our business growing — recognised and celebrated as an aspirational role at Nando's.
Partnership is also an opportunity where our founders and owners connect with our leadership community to hear and share thoughts on how to build and protect Nando's and our culture — a space to have a say on what's important to our business.
It celebrates the success of our teams. When we all win together, we share a part of the pot.
- Knowingly protect our Culture and Brand.
- Deliver our strategic goals.
- Help us successfully grow and change.
- Be Shared Value Creators.
The purpose
Partnership keeps our brand and culture relevant, delivers high performance, and drives our vision of Changing Lives Together. It's a privilege and a challenge — a commitment between Nando's and the leaders who go above and beyond, every day, to make Nando's a better place: leaders who role model performance and behaviour, and inspire others to do the same.
- Nurture and protect our Brand & Culture.
- Recognise and reward individual performance.
- Create a collective focus on what matters.
- Create a high level of engagement.
Partners have the largest impact on what makes us stand out as a place to work — and drive our commercial success.
The mindset
From Patrão to Leadership Team, this is the mindset we share.
I take ownership for the performance of my team, function or restaurant — and the long-term success of Nando's. I wholeheartedly believe in the Nando's Mission.
I am a Shared Value Creator, with impact on the growth of Nando's beyond what's expected of my role.
I grow myself professionally and personally, with humility and vulnerability on my growth journey.
I role model the What and the How, and grow those around me — even outside my team.
Because I role model making decisions like an owner, I'll always speak up when I feel there's a better way, or if our Brand and Culture is being impacted — for the greater good of our Nando's Family. I always try to see the bigger picture for Nando's and Nandocas.
I take responsibility for my I space — how I show up in every big and small interaction as a Nando's leader and Partner: with curiosity, passion, and a sense of ownership for what we're trying to achieve.
I am a Pioneer — as Partners, we galvanise energy, movement and results.
I recognise I can have a big impact on the teams around me. I'm conscious that I lead by example, and create the conditions for everyone to thrive and flourish.
Behaviours
Being a Partner is participative. These are the behaviours we hold ourselves — and each other — accountable to.
- I look for opportunities to make Nando's a better place — having fun, making money and changing lives, all the time.
- I hold others accountable to our Purpose of Changing Lives.
- I know and passionately protect our Brand and Culture — and can always evidence what I've done to bring our brand pillars to life.
- I grow and mentor others — even outside my team — with up, down and sideways challenge, feedback and praise.
- I recognise amazing performance and behaviour, and support those who need help.
- I ask for feedback, listen, and learn from others' wisdom — no matter their role.
- I challenge the status quo — with insight and a solid case.
- I play an active role in meetings, forums, courses and events — present and engaged.
- I get behind Nando's change — commit to it and share my learnings.
- I create conditions for belonging, inclusion and psychological safety.
- I build great relationships across CS & Ops.
- I support Potential Partners by getting to know them, giving them support and feedback.
- I take my role in the Partnership Voting Process seriously — the five Values at the heart of my challenge and support.
Our culture
Every single Nandoca needs to live and breathe Compass. Here's the role we each play.
Inducted on our Values — what we recruit on and review against. Feedback should always reference our Values in action.
Immersed in our Leadership Beliefs and five Values. Potential Partners show active growth here, often via our "Leading in the Nando's Way" workshop.
Not just consistent high performance and being an Extra Hot cultural leader — daily brand guardians and Shared Value Creators who mentor others and drive the What and How.
Accountability
Every Partner holds an annual Partnership commitment — playing a Padrinho role, MD or Regional Group objectives, Shared Value projects, or a role in the wider region focused on Brand, Customer, People and Leadership.
- I attend all Partnership Meetings unless I'm out of the business — national meetings, votes, regional or functional meetings.
- I pay it forward by being, or growing to be, a Padrinho.
- I look for active roles in the wider Nando's where applicable — from volunteering for trials to attending listening forums.
If I line manage
At end-of-year reviews we include their role as a Partner — reviewing last year's commitment and setting next year's. We challenge and give feedback, discussing their I, We and It space in the context of Partnership. We continuously ask: "If you were up for the vote now, would you get in?"
- Communicate effectively at the 12-week check-in — the what, why, how and when of Partnership.
- Ensure they have a Padrinho.
- Constant check-ins with support, challenge and feedback on their journey.
- Canvass feedback from their stakeholders and take timely action.
- Apply rigour and care during the nomination process.
- Celebrate them properly when they get in.
- Have a support and action plan if they don't, or aren't ready yet.
Commitment principles
All Partners from FY26 onwards should have a minimum of one Partnership commitment. These change each year and are set as part of End of Year conversations — in addition to role objectives, KPIs, Leadership shifts and personal development goals.
Your commitment is visible to all Partners — where we hold ourselves and each other accountable. Its achievement is linked to you remaining in Partnership vs payment of your Pot. It should drive true value, not be a tick-box.
Padrinhos
A Padrinho (Godfather) or Madrinha (Godmother) guides, role models and supports you through the beginning of your Nando's life — helping Potential Partners learn to lead the Nando's way, until they're ready to pay it forward.
- Telling stories & role-modelling
- Translating things that don't make sense yet
- Being a sounding board & giving you feedback and a different perspective
- Helping you build connections outside your immediate Nandoca Family
- Giving you a nudge & pointing you in the right direction when needed
- Being encouraging when times get tough, or the learning curve feels steep
- Talking you through the practical steps of joining Partnership
Any Partner, after one year of Partnership. We encourage one person at a time, and looking outside your immediate team — so the focus is on behaviours and culture, not day job and KPIs.
Read the Padrinho playbook