20 Nando’s Interview Questions and Answers

Nando’s is a restaurant chain that specializes in Portuguese food such as peri-peri style chicken dishes. The company was founded in South Africa and has since expanded to locations all over the world.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Nando’s, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions about the company. In this article, we’ll give you some examples of Nando’s interview questions and how to answer them.

Nando’s Interview Process

The interview process at Nando’s can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, the process is generally fairly straightforward and may only consist of a brief interview. For more senior positions, the process may be more extensive and include multiple interviews. Overall, the interview process is generally positive and relaxed, with interviewers looking to see if your personality would be a good fit for the company.

1. What do you enjoy most about working in a team environment?

Teamwork is an important skill for any restaurant employee, especially those who work in the kitchen. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how teamwork can benefit your job performance and that you have experience working with others. In your answer, explain what makes teamwork so beneficial and highlight a time when you helped your team succeed.

Example: “I love working in a team environment because it allows me to learn from other people’s experiences. I find that by listening to my coworkers’ ideas, I can come up with new ways of doing things myself. For example, last summer I worked as a prep cook at a different restaurant where they had a very specific way of making guacamole. My coworker showed me a better way to do it, which I now use every day.”

2. We are looking for people who have experience as cashiers, what is your past experience with handling money and operating registers/payment systems?

Cashiers are an important part of the Nando’s team, and they need to be able to handle money and operate registers efficiently. If you have cashier experience, use it as a selling point in your answer.

Example: “I worked at a local restaurant for two years where I was responsible for handling all transactions with customers. I am familiar with most payment systems and can quickly learn new ones if needed.”

3. Tell me about your previous work experience in the restaurant industry.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your previous work experience and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly read through the job description so you can discuss any skills or qualifications that match what they are looking for in a candidate.

Example: “I have worked as a server at several restaurants throughout my career. I started working in the food service industry when I was 16 years old, where I waited tables at a family-owned restaurant. After college, I moved to New York City where I worked as a server at a high-end steakhouse. While there, I learned valuable customer service skills and developed my ability to multitask.”

4. How would you handle an upset customer?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation that could potentially turn negative and affect the reputation of their restaurant. In your answer, demonstrate your ability to empathize with customers and resolve conflict in a positive way.

Example: “I have experience working as a hostess at a high-end steakhouse where I had to deal with upset customers on occasion. One time, a customer was unhappy about his meal because he thought it should be cooked more. I listened to him explain why he felt the way he did, then offered to replace the meal or give him a discount. He ended up taking the discount and left happy.”

5. In this position you will be expected to lift up to 30lbs. Are you comfortable with physical labor?

This question is designed to determine if you are physically capable of performing the job duties. Employers want to make sure that their employees can perform all aspects of the job, so they ask questions like this one to ensure you have the physical capabilities for the position. In your answer, be honest about your physical abilities and discuss any training or experience you have with lifting heavy objects.

Example: “I am comfortable with physical labor. I worked as a server at a restaurant in college where we had to lift trays full of food. I also lifted weights regularly during my time at school, which helped me develop my upper body strength.”

6. Do you consider yourself to be organized? Why or why not?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the organizational skills necessary for the job. They want someone who can keep track of important information and deadlines, so it’s important to show that you are organized in your response.

Example: “I consider myself to be very organized. I am a list-maker by nature, so I always make sure to write down all my tasks and appointments. This helps me stay on top of things at work and at home, which is why I’ve been able to maintain good grades throughout college.”

7. Which shift are you available to work?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your availability and schedule. If you have any scheduling conflicts, it’s important to let them know as soon as possible so they can find someone else to fill in.

Example: “I am available to work all shifts except Sunday evening because I attend church on Sundays. However, if there are no other volunteers, I would be happy to work that shift.”

8. There may be times where we require you to stay late if there is more work that needs to be done. Are you able to commit to potentially staying late?

This question is important because it shows the interviewer that you are willing to work hard and stay late if necessary. It also helps them determine whether or not you will be able to fit into their team of employees who may have different schedules.

Example: “Yes, I am more than happy to stay late if needed. In my previous position, there were times where we had a rush of customers during dinner time and we would need to stay later to ensure all orders were filled and served in a timely manner.”

9. How do you feel about cooking chicken on an open flame grill?

Nando’s is known for its open flame grills, and the interviewer may want to know if you have any experience cooking on one. If you do, share a story about how it went or what you learned from that experience. If you don’t have experience with an open flame grill, explain why not and talk about your experience with other types of grills.

Example: “I’ve worked at several restaurants where we cooked chicken on open flame grills, so I’m familiar with the process. However, I prefer gas-powered grills because they’re easier to control and more consistent than charcoal ones. At my last job, I was in charge of training new employees on using the gas grills, which gave me some insight into how to use them effectively.”

10. Describe how you prioritize tasks when you are given several at once.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you manage your time and whether you are able to complete tasks in a timely manner. Use examples from previous work experiences or describe how you would prioritize tasks if given several at once.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing multiple social media accounts for our company. When I received new content to post on each account, I would first check which platform it should be posted to based on its type of content. Then, I would create a schedule for myself so that I could post to each account every day without missing any deadlines.”

11. Some of our menu items contain spicy ingredients, can you tolerate eating some of these foods?

Interviewers may ask this question to determine if you can handle the heat of some of our dishes. If you have experience eating spicy foods, share a story about how you handled it and what steps you took to manage your discomfort.

Example: “I love spicy food, but I know that not everyone does. When I worked at a Mexican restaurant, we had a dish with jalapenos on the side. Some customers would request no jalapenos, so I learned how to remove them without affecting the flavor of the dish. I also learned how to eat the jalapeno peppers without burning my mouth.”

12. If you were out of stock on an item, how would you inform customers?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills. You can use it to demonstrate how you would handle a challenging situation and communicate with customers in a positive way.

Example: “If I were out of stock on an item, I would inform the customer as soon as possible. I would apologize for the inconvenience and offer them a discount or alternative menu item. If there was no alternative available, I would give them their money back.”

13. Nando’s prides itself on providing excellent customer service. Tell us about a time when you provided exceptional customer service.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a team player and can work well with others.

Example: “I was working at a coffee shop when I noticed one of my regular customers had been in several times without ordering anything. When I asked her if everything was okay, she told me that she had lost her wallet and couldn’t afford to buy any coffee. I gave her a free cup of coffee every day for two weeks until she got her new credit card.”

14. Our company values teamwork. Can you think of a time where being part of a team helped you achieve a goal?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are a team player and can work well with others. When answering this question, think of an example from your previous job or school experience where you were part of a team and the team was able to achieve something together.

Example: “In my last position as a server at a restaurant, I worked with a large group of servers who all had different strengths. For instance, some servers were better at taking orders than others, while other servers were better at remembering customers’ preferences. By working together as a team, we were able to provide excellent service to our customers.”

15. At Nando’s we provide great quality food to our customers. Is it important for you to ensure that quality standards are met? Why do you think so?

This question is designed to assess your attention to detail and commitment to quality. It also helps the interviewer understand how you might approach a task like ensuring that food meets standards before it’s served to customers.

Example: “I think it’s important for all employees to ensure that they’re serving high-quality food to customers. I’ve worked in restaurants where there was no system in place to check if food met quality standards, which led to some mistakes. I would implement systems to make sure this didn’t happen again.”

16. How do you keep track of all your responsibilities?

This question can help the interviewer understand how organized you are and if you have a system for managing your time. It’s important to show that you’re organized, detail-oriented and able to prioritize tasks.

Example: “I use an online calendar to keep track of all my appointments and deadlines. I find it helpful to color code each task so I know what is urgent or due soon. I also like to set reminders on my phone so I don’t forget any important dates.”

17. Tell us about your sales experience.

Nando’s is a restaurant chain that relies heavily on its sales team to meet daily, weekly and monthly goals. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your experience selling food or other products. Use your answer to explain how you have helped increase sales in the past.

Example: “I’ve worked as a server at several restaurants throughout my career. I find that my outgoing personality helps me make customers feel welcome and comfortable. This makes them more likely to order additional drinks or appetizers while they’re waiting for their meals. In my last position, I increased sales by 10% over the previous quarter.”

18. What kind of sales techniques do you use to sell products?

Nando’s is a restaurant that sells food, so the interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience selling in a customer service role. Use your answer to highlight any sales training or experience you have and how it helped you succeed at previous jobs.

Example: “I’ve always been naturally outgoing, which has helped me sell products in my past roles. I find that listening to customers’ needs and asking questions helps me understand what they’re looking for. Then, I can use my product knowledge to recommend something that fits their preferences. In my last job, I increased sales by 10% over the course of six months by using these techniques.”

19. Have you ever had to deal with an angry customer before? How did you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. This is because working in the food industry often involves dealing with customers who are unhappy about something, such as a long wait for their order or an incorrect order. Your answer should show that you have experience handling these situations and can do so effectively.

Example: “I once had a customer come into the restaurant where I worked at the time when we were very busy. The customer was upset because they had been waiting for their meal for quite some time. I apologized and explained that there was a large group ahead of them. I also offered them a free dessert on the house. They accepted the offer and seemed much happier after.”

20. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in the food service industry can be a fast-paced environment. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working under pressure and have experience doing so. In your answer, explain how you handle stress and give an example of a time when you had to work quickly.

Example: “I am very organized and efficient, which helps me stay calm under pressure. When I worked at my previous job, we were extremely busy one night and ran out of several menu items. I helped my coworkers by finding alternative ingredients for some dishes and helping them cook more quickly. We got through that rush as quickly as possible and served all customers within 15 minutes.”