Oporto has more than 100 'eat in' or 'take-away' restaurants in Australia, New Zealand, India, Vietnam, and Europe. It previously also operated stores throughout China, and expanded to Sri Lanka in August 2018. Oporto is also looking to expand its operations into the Middle East, with its first store earmarked for Dubai in early 2020.
Founding and history
The first Oporto restaurant was founded in 1986 by António Cerqueira, an Australian of Portuguese descent, in North Bondi, New South Wales, Australia but was originally named Portuguese Style Bondi Charcoal Chicken. The 'Oporto' name came from Cerqueria's favourite football team, FC Porto. 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 100 locations in New South Wales, 14 in Queensland, 8 in Victoria, 5 in the Australian Capital Territory, 5 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 although this store closed on 18 October 2011, and opened their first restaurant in the United States in Rancho Cucamonga, California on 25 February 2011. Oporto stores in the United States were all converted to Feisty Chicken Grill in 2013. There are now over 100 stores in operation in Australia and New Zealand. Oporto has three types of Oporto store types; Drive Thru, Shopping Centre and Strip stores.
Parent ownership and acquisitions
In July 2007, Quadrant Private Equity and Quick Service Restaurant Holdings now known as Craveable Brands purchased Oporto. In June 2011, Archer Capital acquired Quick Service Restaurant Holdings from Quadrant Private Equity for an estimated $450 million. On 26 March 2012 Oporto ceased trading in China, closing its three outlets. On 7 April 2013, Oporto's US franchisee closed its three outlets. In 2013, Oporto opened their first restaurant in Western Australia in South Perth. Oporto has since increased to over 8 stores in the region.
