Port Of Peri Peri

The Port of Peri Peri was founded in 2013 by Syed Pasha, who serves as Founder, President, and CEO. The company is based in Villa Park, Illinois, under parent company Peri Peri Holdings, LLC, and began franchising in 2019. Unit counts vary by source. In 2023, the brand reported 18 total units, including 15 franchised and 3 company owned locations. Other reports cite 22 United States locations with 20 franchised and 2 company owned units, or 19 locations with 16 open franchises and 3 corporate sites. A January 2022 source reported more than 25 locations across 8 states, while March 2026 data based on the 2025 FDD reported 27 locations nationwide. The brand operates across 11 states: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington. Growth is concentrated in Michigan and Illinois, with additional activity in Texas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. The concept operates in the fast casual segment and specializes in flame grilled Zabiha Halal chicken. It aims to become the first fully approved Zabiha Halal franchise chain in the United States. Its sauces are free from gluten, MSG, and nuts, and its chicken is all natural, vegetarian fed, and antibiotic free. These features support demand for better for you dining and flexible casual restaurant formats.

The Port of Peri Peri operates in a fast casual market shaped by demand for convenience, quality, healthier alternatives, authentic global flavors, and clearer sourcing and preparation practices. The Peri Peri category is expanding as consumers show greater interest in its flavor profile and perceived benefits, while food preparation technology continues to develop. The brand fits the growing better for you restaurant category and casual formats that suit post pandemic service preferences. Market opportunities include Spicy Innovation, as Peri Peri flavors move into more global cuisines; Health Conscious Heat, reflecting interest in clean eating; and Sustainable Sourcing, tied to ethical production. Franchise investment in this category is supported by recurring consumer demand and the potential for strong unit economics when the product is differentiated. The Port of Peri Peri focuses on Zabiha Halal flame grilled chicken within a fragmented restaurant market.

The initial franchise fee is most often reported at $35,000. Other sources cite $5,000 based on a 2025 FDD and $25,000 from Franzy. The general initial investment range is $128,000 to $500,000, depending on the format and location. A Traditional Port of Peri Peri Restaurant requires $225,000 to $500,000. A Food Truck Port of Peri Peri Restaurant requires $127,900 to $186,800. An Express Port of Peri Peri Restaurant requires $176,000 to $267,000, while a Commissary Port of Peri Peri Restaurant requires $144,600 to $236,500. A 2025 FDD also reports $648,453 to $1,131,247, which may reflect another FDD version or higher cost build out scenarios. Suggested liquid capital is $200,000 or more, while another source cites minimum cash of $60,000. Ongoing fees include a 5.00% royalty on gross sales and an advertising or national brand fund fee of 0.5% to 3%. One source lists a Brand Fund fee of 4%. Peri Peri Holdings, LLC provides corporate backing. The four formats create different entry points, from the lower cost food truck model to traditional restaurants requiring greater capital.

Franchise operations emphasize consistency, food safety, quality standards, and hands on owner operator involvement. Chicken follows a six step preparation process before service. The menu includes flame grilled chicken at several heat levels, burgers, wraps, rice bowls, vegetarian options, cassava fries, peri mayo corn, and signature garlic sauce. Locations are designed around a clean, contemporary setting and customer service. Franchisees must build teams that support the brand vision and follow operating instructions, a staffing challenge identified by Syed Pasha. The four formats are Traditional, Food Truck, Express, and Commissary restaurants. Mandatory training lasts approximately two weeks at the corporate headquarters or a designated facility before opening. It combines classroom and on the job instruction in food preparation, customer service, inventory management, operations, and management. Corporate support includes an operations manual, guidance for staff and management training, and marketing materials and campaigns for grand openings and continued growth. Each approved location receives a Designated Territory where the franchisor will not open or license another restaurant using The Port of Peri Peri marks and system. Boundaries depend on population density, demographics, and nearby competition. Rights do not extend beyond that Designated Territory.

Buyers should conduct independent due diligence with the franchisor and existing franchisees. Available indicators include the start of franchising in 2019, 18 total units in 2023 with 15 franchised locations, and 27 locations nationwide in March 2026 based on the 2025 FDD. Expansion from 8 states to 11 states suggests continued development across California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington. The concept serves growing fast casual and halal food categories and addresses interest in authentic, healthy, globally inspired meals. The brand has received strong ratings across thousands of reviews. A co owner of a Bothell, Washington location reported that the Dallas Port of Peri Peri was “always crowded.” The menu uses all natural, vegetarian fed, antibiotic free, hand slaughtered Zabiha Halal chicken, with sauces free from gluten, MSG, and nuts. The food truck format requires $127,900 to $186,800, which is among the lowest investment levels cited in the full service restaurant subsector. These indicators support further review, but they do not replace franchisee level financial verification.

Since beginning franchising in 2019, The Port of Peri Peri has reported growth from more than 25 locations across 8 states in January 2022, to 18 total units in 2023, and 27 locations nationwide in March 2026 based on the 2025 FDD. The current footprint covers 11 states, with particular concentration in Michigan and Illinois, along with Texas and Northeast markets. No recent acquisitions, rebrands, technology investments, or major leadership changes are identified beyond Syed Pasha's continuing role as Founder, President, and CEO. The concept centers on Portuguese African cuisine, flame grilled chicken, and Peri Peri sauces. Its goal of becoming the first fully approved Zabiha Halal franchise chain in the United States may appeal to customers seeking specific dietary and ethical standards. The brand also uses fresh, never frozen, all natural, vegetarian fed, antibiotic free chicken and sauces free from gluten, MSG, and nuts. A six step preparation process and a chef free operating approach support consistency. High ratings across thousands of reviews and comments about crowded locations indicate customer interest. The brand is also positioned within the better for you category and flexible service formats that reflect post pandemic dining preferences.

The preferred franchisee has strong leadership skills, financial capacity, and a willingness to manage operations closely. Suggested liquid capital is $200,000 or more, while minimum cash of $60,000 is also cited. Specific prior restaurant or management experience is not listed as mandatory, but the brand favors engaged owners who believe in its vision and follow instructions. The company has franchising licenses across the United States, creating potential for multi unit development, though this is not stated as a requirement. Culturally diverse markets with interest in global flavors may be receptive to the concept. Before opening, franchisees complete approximately two weeks of mandatory training at the corporate headquarters or a designated facility. The franchise agreement term, renewal terms, transfer provisions, and resale requirements are not publicly disclosed and require direct inquiry during due diligence.

The Port of Peri Peri offers several formats within the fast casual and Zabiha Halal restaurant categories. Its Portuguese African flavors, ingredient standards, training program, and corporate support align with consumer interest in healthier and globally inspired dining. Reported growth from franchising in 2019 to 27 locations nationwide by March 2026, along with customer ratings, provides evidence of market acceptance without establishing financial results. Investment options range from the Food Truck format at $127,900 to $186,800 to traditional restaurant scenarios reaching $1,131,247. PeerSense provides independent franchise intelligence, including SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders and is not a lender. Buyers can use the available information to compare the brand with other franchise opportunities and plan further due diligence.