London Gatwick has revealed that Nando’s will open its first ever airport restaurant in South Terminal next summer.

The deal between Nando’s and Gatwick marks the start of a major overhaul of the airport’s food and beverage offering in South Terminal.

It follows a complete re-vamp of the North Terminal, which has seen eight new restaurants open in the past two years. New additions range from Jamie’s Italian and Comptoir Libanais to YO! Sushi and new coffee outlets including Starbucks and Pret a Manger.

Charlotte Christiansen, Business Development Manager for Catering at London Gatwick, said: “We are thrilled that Nando’s will be opening its first airport restaurant at Gatwick this summer. Nando’s is a hugely popular brand with our passengers and its extensive menu is perfectly matched to airport dining as it is quick, fresh and delicious. More than a third of our passengers told us they would like to see a Nando’s at Gatwick so we have acted on this.”

Passenger ratings of food and beverage at Gatwick have improved significantly in recent years, with 85% of passengers now scoring the selection of outlets available as either excellent or good². The number of passengers eating, drinking or buying products from catering outlets in the departure lounge has also steadily increased, with nearly 65% of passengers making a purchase – up by nearly a quarter³.

Nando’s, home of legendary Portuguese flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, will open its doors in Gatwick’s South Terminal in summer 2014. The restaurant group’s first foray into airport dining will seat 200 guests, and create 100 new full and part-time jobs.

Set to provide London Gatwick’s passengers with a menu bursting with flavour, variety and great value, the team behind the new restaurant will spend the next seven months on site constructing the 5,900 sq ft restaurant, which will feature Nando’s unique design throughout, including its eye-catching range of African art.

Garry Duncan, Regional Director of Nando’s, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce we’ll be opening our first airport restaurant in London Gatwick next year.

“It’s a complete new territory for the brand, but demonstrates our forward thinking and desire to offer our fans and customers the best possible Nando’s experience whether they’re on a high street or in an airport terminal. We can’t wait to open our doors!”

This development is in direct response to passenger feedback to see a Nando’s at Gatwick. Recent research saw the brand hit the top spot for restaurant chains passengers would like to visit at the airport – 33% asked for it – ensuring the airport experience truly reflects passengers’ needs.

Nando’s Gatwick will operate approximately 20 hours a day between the hours of 4.00am and 12.00am for passengers to enjoy meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner before they fly.