Oporto (restaurant)
Encyclopedia
Oporto is an Australia
n-based fast-food franchise with a Portuguese
-theme.
Oporto specialises in Portuguese style
chicken
(properly known as Galinha à Africana
), burger
s, chips and spicy chilli sauce. Oporto has more than 100 'eat in' or 'take-away' restaurants in Australia
, New Zealand
, China
and the United Kingdom
, although a large majority of these are located in New South Wales
.
, in North Bondi, New South Wales
but was originally named Portuguese Style Bondi Charcoal Chicken. The 'Oporto' name came from Porto
, Portugal
's second largest city.
Oporto first opened a franchise store in 1995 and was named the fastest growing franchise in Australia in January 2005 by Business Review Weekly
. In 2007 there were 79 locations in New South Wales
, 10 in Queensland
, 6 in Victoria, 3 in ACT
, 2 in South Australia
and 6 in New Zealand. Some of these restaurants are called Oporto Express and offer a smaller range of products – most commonly this means they do not offer a breakfast menu. Oporto opened their first store in the United Kingdom at London's Victoria Station in January 2009, and opened their first restaurant in the United States in Rancho Cucamonga, California on 25 February 2011. There are now over 100 stores in operation in the world (currently only in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States). Oporto has three types of Oporto store types; Drive Thru, Shopping Centre and Strip stores.
In July 2007, Quadrant Private Equity and Quick Service Restaurant Holdings (QSR) (which owns Red Rooster
and Chicken Treat
) purchased Oporto.
In June 2011, Archer Capital acquired Quick Service Restaurant Holdings (QSR) from Quadrant Private Equity for an estimated $450 million (including Red Rooster and Chicken Treat).
sauce made from chilli, ginger
, lemon
and garlic
. Oporto, also known by many from the Bondi/Randwick area as "The Mothership", has a range of fast food items centering around its grilled chicken.
The Bondi Burger, named after Bondi Beach
, Oporto's original location, is part of the chain's primary lineup. This burger consists of grilled chicken breast, lettuce, mayonnaise, cheese and the Oporto trademark chilli sauce. It comes in three sizes: small (one breast fillet on a smaller burger bun), regular (two chicken breast fillets on a larger burger bun), and big (three chicken breast fillets on a large burger bun). The Bondi Burger also comes in a non-chilli version called the Norm Burger.
. In addition, Oporto’s logo
is a sun and its advertising frequently includes images of beach culture, particularly young people in swimwear
or carrying surfboard
s. Oporto uses colloquial
words in the names of its products such as Brekkie Burger, Norm Burger and Kiddo Burger.
The franchise distances itself from the perception that fast food is unhealthy by promoting its chicken as "fresh not frozen, grilled not fried".
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n-based fast-food franchise with a Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
-theme.
Oporto specialises in Portuguese style
Portuguese cuisine
Portuguese cuisine is characterised by rich, filling and full-flavored dishes and is closely related to Mediterranean cuisine. The influence of Portugal's former colonial possessions is also notable, especially in the wide variety of spices used. These spices include piri piri and black pepper, as...
chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
(properly known as Galinha à Africana
Galinha à Africana
Galinha à Africana , often known as Frango assado is a dish of Portuguese cuisine, which is a barbecued chicken coated with spicy piri piri sauce....
), burger
Hamburger
A hamburger is a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty of ground meat usually placed inside a sliced bread roll...
s, chips and spicy chilli sauce. Oporto has more than 100 'eat in' or 'take-away' restaurants in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, although a large majority of these are located in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
History
The first Oporto restaurant was founded in 1986 by António Cerqueira, an Australian of Portuguese descentPortuguese Australian
Portuguese Australians are either Portuguese emigrated to or living in Australia, or native Australians with Portuguese ancestry.Despite their rather modest number compared to the Greek and Italian communities, Portuguese Australians form a very organized, self-conscious and active community in...
, in North Bondi, New South Wales
North Bondi, New South Wales
North Bondi is a coastal, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Bondi is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council....
but was originally named Portuguese Style Bondi Charcoal Chicken. The 'Oporto' name came from Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
's second largest city.
Oporto first opened a franchise store in 1995 and was named the fastest growing franchise in Australia in January 2005 by Business Review Weekly
Business Review Weekly
BRW is an Australian weekly business magazine published by the Fairfax Media group. It regularly compiles lists which rank corporations and individuals according to various criteria, similar to Fortune magazine in the United States.BRW provides news and commentary on the economy, business and...
. In 2007 there were 79 locations in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, 10 in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, 6 in Victoria, 3 in ACT
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, 2 in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and 6 in New Zealand. Some of these restaurants are called Oporto Express and offer a smaller range of products – most commonly this means they do not offer a breakfast menu. Oporto opened their first store in the United Kingdom at London's Victoria Station in January 2009, and opened their first restaurant in the United States in Rancho Cucamonga, California on 25 February 2011. There are now over 100 stores in operation in the world (currently only in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States). Oporto has three types of Oporto store types; Drive Thru, Shopping Centre and Strip stores.
In July 2007, Quadrant Private Equity and Quick Service Restaurant Holdings (QSR) (which owns Red Rooster
Red Rooster
Red Rooster is an Australian fast food restaurant chain. Red Rooster specialises in selling roasted chicken and other related products.- History :...
and Chicken Treat
Chicken Treat
Chicken Treat is an Australian barbecue chicken fast food restaurant chain that originated in 1974 in Perth, Western Australia and later expanded throughout Australia....
) purchased Oporto.
In June 2011, Archer Capital acquired Quick Service Restaurant Holdings (QSR) from Quadrant Private Equity for an estimated $450 million (including Red Rooster and Chicken Treat).
Food
Oporto’s chilli sauce is a Portuguese piri-piriAfrican birdseye
Piri piri is a cultivar of Capsicum frutescens, one of the sources of chili pepper, that grows both wild and domesticated. It is a small, extremely spicy member of the Capsicum genus.-Plant characteristics:...
sauce made from chilli, ginger
Ginger
Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family . Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal....
, lemon
Lemon
The lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used, mainly in cooking and baking...
and garlic
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
. Oporto, also known by many from the Bondi/Randwick area as "The Mothership", has a range of fast food items centering around its grilled chicken.
The Bondi Burger, named after Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Bondi Beach is a popular beach and the name of the surrounding suburb in Sydney, Australia. Bondi Beach is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council, in the Eastern Suburbs...
, Oporto's original location, is part of the chain's primary lineup. This burger consists of grilled chicken breast, lettuce, mayonnaise, cheese and the Oporto trademark chilli sauce. It comes in three sizes: small (one breast fillet on a smaller burger bun), regular (two chicken breast fillets on a larger burger bun), and big (three chicken breast fillets on a large burger bun). The Bondi Burger also comes in a non-chilli version called the Norm Burger.
Identity & Marketing
Oporto describes itself as a wholly owned Australian company. Elements of beach culture are incorporated into the restaurant's identity as a result of the original Oporto restaurant being located near Bondi BeachBondi Beach, New South Wales
Bondi Beach is a popular beach and the name of the surrounding suburb in Sydney, Australia. Bondi Beach is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council, in the Eastern Suburbs...
. In addition, Oporto’s logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
is a sun and its advertising frequently includes images of beach culture, particularly young people in swimwear
Swimsuit
A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A...
or carrying surfboard
Surfboard
A surfboard is an elongated platform used in the sport of surfing. Surfboards are relatively light, but are strong enough to support an individual standing on them while riding a breaking wave...
s. Oporto uses colloquial
Colloquialism
A colloquialism is a word or phrase that is common in everyday, unconstrained conversation rather than in formal speech, academic writing, or paralinguistics. Dictionaries often display colloquial words and phrases with the abbreviation colloq. as an identifier...
words in the names of its products such as Brekkie Burger, Norm Burger and Kiddo Burger.
The franchise distances itself from the perception that fast food is unhealthy by promoting its chicken as "fresh not frozen, grilled not fried".
Media
- In January 2006 a prisoner escaped from Long Bay jailLong Bay Correctional CentreLong Bay Correctional Complex is located in the suburb of Malabar in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Long Bay comprises six institutions, four maximum security and two minimum security.-History:...
after dieting and slipping through the bars but was caught three days later on the steps of Oporto Bondi JunctionBondi Junction, New South WalesBondi Junction is an eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Bondi Junction is located 6 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the Waverley....
. Oporto used this as promotion on its websiteWebsiteA website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
in a tongue-in-cheekTongue-in-cheekTongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
way, claiming that it was proof that Oporto’s chilli sauce really is "irresistible."
Awards
Oporto has received a number of awards including The Restaurant and Catering Association of NSW – ‘George Mure Memorial Award for Excellence in Professional Development’ and ‘Best New Training Program Award for Excellence’ in 2004.See also
- Nando'sNando'sNando's is a casual dining restaurant group originating from South Africa with a Portuguese/Mozambican theme. Founded in 1987, Nando's operates in thirty countries on five continents....
– A Portuguese style chicken restaurant of South African origin. - Red RoosterRed RoosterRed Rooster is an Australian fast food restaurant chain. Red Rooster specialises in selling roasted chicken and other related products.- History :...
– An Australian chicken restaurant chain associated with Oporto.
External links
- Oporto – Official Site
- Oporto Nutritional information from CalorieKingCalorieKingCalorieKing is an online weight loss club and software developer with a program centred around healthy eating and exercise . The company offers products and services tailored specifically for the United States and Australian markets...
(an independent site) - Other Restaurants in New South Wales