Massive queues form in Melbourne as Nandos shouts free meals for year 12 students receiving exam results

Massive queues formed in Melbourne’s CBD after fast food chain Nando’s announced they were shouting year 12 students a free lunch, as part of a celebration of their final exam results.

A cheeky post from Victorian student Kyla Elsayed sparked the generous offer of a free ¼ chicken, chips and drink meal for the graduating Australian students, after she noticed the restaurant was giving such meals out to UK students on their results day.

“I thought surely they can do something for us. So mucking around we DM them, just joking, and then shockingly they replied. They were like, let’s do it,” Ms Elsayed, who received her ATAR result on Thursday, said.

“I didn’t really know if it was real,” she said.

Ms Elsayed’s request was very real, as not only did she secure a free Nando’s meal for herself and her classmates, Nando’s told her they were willing to do it country wide.

“(It) was an incredible result,” she said.

She believes Nando’s should keep the tradition going, and give all year 12 students across Australia the opportunity to get a free chicken and chips meal on the day of their exam results.

A huge queue flooded the Nando’s restaurant on Elizabeth St in Melbourne’s CBD as eager students flocked to get their hands on the free meal.

“It’s a great reward to have and to be able to look forward to at the end of a definitely stressful day and a stressful year,” she said.

Nando’s is now running a nationwide offer to year 12 students over the next week.

The offer is available to the first 100 students at 30 restaurants around the country on their home state’s results day.

Tom Blackburn, Nando’s Head of Brand, would “love it” if the tradition continues for the iconic restaurant, adding that the company is hoping to offer the free meal to New Zealand students next year.

“I think if anything, we’ll make it bigger and better next year and hopefully make it available to even more students at more restaurants.”

To secure the free meal, students must present their student ID upon ordering.

Where to get a free Nando’s chicken and chips meal:

VIC – Thursday 11 December

• Northland, Southland, Elizabeth St, Karingal

SA – Monday 15 December

• West Lakes, Tea Tree Plaza, Kurralta Park, Marion

NSW – Thursday 18 December

• Camperdown, Macquarie Centre, Macarthur Square, Parramatta

ACT – Thursday 18 December

• Woden

QLD – Thursday 18 December

• Indooroopilly, Ipswich, Toowong, Australia Fair, Logan Hyperdome, Forest Lake, Chermside, Fairfield Waters (T’Ville), Maroochydore, Capalaba, Carindale