Peri-Peri Perfection

When Chung Lynn Mac started her first Nando’s franchise in Malaysia, she knew nothing about chicken or how challenging the restaurant business could be. Now, Nando’s Malaysia is a local favourite and a multinational success.

- Holly Johnson

When it comes to PERi-PERi, flame-grilled chicken, no-one does it better than Nando’s. Hailing from South Africa, the award-winning casual dining chain is known worldwide, with more than 1,000 restaurants spanning 24 countries. The Malaysian and Singaporean stores are led by Chung Lynn Mac, Group CEO of Nando’s Malaysia and Singapore. Born in Malaysia and schooled in England, Chung Lynn studied architecture at the University of Wales campus in London, where Nando’s became a staple in her weekly restaurant rotation. “I remember sitting with the owner of Nando’s talking about how he got started in the business throughout the entire lunch. I knew nothing about chicken or the restaurant business, but he made it seem like anyone could do it – just go ahead and start a restaurant,” she explains.