Born out of South Africa, but made famous in the UK, arguably Nando’s has become as big a part of British culture as drinking tea. More than just PERi-PERi chicken and chips, countless commentators over the years have looked to understand the secrets of its enduring appeal.

Students, in particular, are almost universally fans of Nando's and as such, over the past 5 years, Raptor has helped Nando’s cement and maintain its position as one of Gen-Z's most beloved restaurants in the UK.

Originally conceived as a three-week pop-up in London, Nando's Yard was so effective at placing culture at the heart of its food offering, Nando's briefed Raptor to take the Yard concept on tour, aimed at driving fame and deepening its status as a staple of UK student life.

Each night was programmed to blend music, food, and community, offering students exclusive perks like branded merchandise and meal vouchers, and to amplify the campaign’s reach, a strong social and digital presence ensured the buzz extended far beyond the parties themselves. Aligning with a meaningful cause further deepened the campaign’s importance, with £1 from every ticket sold donated to Bridges for Music, a nonprofit supporting disadvantaged communities through music.

The tour brought Nando’s Yard to three university cities, transforming local venues into fully branded, Instagram-worthy spaces where students could immerse themselves in the PERi-PERi experience.

Headliners like Nia Archives, My Nu Leng, and Mella Dee shared the stage with local student DJs and artists, showcasing both national stars and up-and-coming talent. For each event, we collaborated with local student promoters, ensuring each party celebrated the unique nightlife culture of the respective city, and created a gateway to the students' local scene.

Alongside the music, attendees received free branded merchandise and vouchers for a free starter at their local Nando’s, ensuring the event drove footfall to Nando's thereafter. The campaign was underpinned by Nando's Yard Online, which served as a central platform for ticket sales and event information, driving traffic and supporting further engagement online.

The campaign attracted over 2,000 attendees, filling venues with energy and excitement. It achieved a social media reach of 1.8 million, significantly amplifying Nando’s presence among its target audience. Contributions to Bridges for Music supported meaningful work in disadvantaged communities, further reinforcing Nando’s purpose of “Changing Lives Together.”

Most importantly, the tour deepened Nando’s connection with students, cementing its reputation as the No.1 restaurant brand among Gen Z by delivering culturally relevant and unforgettable experiences.

Watch the wrap-up video below.