First look inside Sunderland's new Pepe's restaurant with chicken wings, burritos and more on the menu
“We’re glad to finally be opening the doors after a difficult week,” says the owner of Sunderland’s new Pepe’s restaurant.
Earlier this week, we reported on how the new chicken restaurant, part of a national chain, had been damaged after CCTV reportedly captured three men throwing a weighted bag from nearby roadworks at the window.
However, with the window replaced, it’s now full steam ahead for the opening from Wednesday, March 4.
With 50 covers, the franchise is for sit-in or takeout dining and has brought new life to the corner unit on Fawcett Street and High Street West as part of a wave of new openings in the area.
There’s more than 250 Pepe’s Piri Piri stores across the country, with local businessman Manoj Pathi, who has years of experience in the food and drink industry, owning the franchise for the first Sunderland site, which has created 12 new jobs.
Manoj said: “I did my research before opening here and found that Sunderland had a really good population size, with a lot of investment at the minute.
“Sunderland City Council is really welcoming new businesses into the city centre and it’s great to be a part of what’s happening here.”
He added: “The team are excited to fire up the grills and get cooking in this local community which we’ll be proud to serve for what we’re sure will be many years to come. We’ve had so much support after the damage caused to the window and lots of people have been asking when we’re opening, which is really encouraging.”
Specialising in flame-grilled chicken, Pepe’s also sells options such as Mexican-inspired burritos and nachos, to salads, burgers and the store’s now somewhat ‘instafamous’ Chick’n’Rice box, which has attracted millions of views on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Among the most popular items are its whole, half and quarter chickens, as well as wings and tender strips.
Pepe’s Piri Piri Head of Franchising, Matt Hart, said: “It’s hard to believe that it was just back in 2007 that we opened the first Pepe’s Piri Piri in Watford and the store in Sunderland puts us over 250 stores across the UK.
“We’re proud to be able to offer exciting franchising opportunities that can turn someone’s dream of owning and running their own business into a reality, and we’re looking forward to the success that we know Manoj Pathi will have in Sunderland.
“Of course, we’re also delighted to bring our delicious fresh cooking methods and range of tasty flavours to the people of Sunderland who are in for a real treat.”
*Pepe’s, 1 Fawcett Street, will be open 11am to 11pm seven days a week.