Nando’s has been accused of throwing major shade at its fast food competitor, Steers, which recently came under fire over its treatment of employees
This stems from a viral video in which staff were ordered to do maintenance work, like gardening, outside the store.
STEERS STAFF SAGA – WHAT HAPPENED?
In a video that has gone viral on social media, employees of Steers franchise in Menlo Park, Pretoria, were seen doing garden work outside the restaurant.
Staff were instructed to trim an overgrown hedge and pull out weeds in the outdoor area.
The video spread across social media platforms, with many South Africans accusing Steers of exploiting their employees.
Following an internal investigation, the company responded to the backlash, stating that franchise management had tasked employees with outdoor work due to delays in landlord maintenance services.
It said in a statement: “While keeping a clean exterior is important, this work should not be carried out by team members.
“This is not standard practice at Steers and is unacceptable.”
It continued: “Steers requires all franchisees to comply fully with South African labour law and our strict food safety and brand standards and has issued the franchisee a formal notice.”
The company stated that franchise managers would be undergoing retraining on labour practices and the importance of staff maintaining role boundaries.”
NANDO’S STEPS INTO THE CHAT
While Steers was still trending on social media, a screenshot of Nando’s alleged response set tongues wagging.
The cheeky chicken restaurant is known for its witty, and sometimes petty clapbacks on topical issues.
The response featured AI-images of outdoors workers, side by side with Nando’s kitchen staff.
The caption read: “Some people do gardening on the clock. We do grilling.
“No funny business. Just flame-grilled peri-peri chicken”.
