Cardiff Plans Grilled Chicken Restaurant in Adamsdown 2026

Key Points

• A new restaurant and ancillary takeaway are proposed for 185-187 Broadway in Adamsdown, Cardiff, pending city council approval.
• The site is a long-vacant unit currently overgrowing with weeds.
• The development would convert the building into a restaurant offering freshly-cooked grilled chicken, described as a healthy dining option (not fried).
• It forms part of a franchise with more than 250 stores nationwide, featuring a concept similar to Nando’s, though the brand name is not specified in the application.
• Benefits include 15-20 new jobs for local people in full-time and part-time roles.
• The project aims to provide an economic boost, attract footfall to Broadway/Newport Road, benefit neighbouring businesses, and contribute through business rates and supplier relations.
• The application emphasises regeneration of the vacant building and introduction of fresh, healthy food options limited in the area.

Adamsdown (Cardiff Daily) April 24, 2026 –

What Plans Have Been Submitted for 185-187 Broadway in Adamsdown?

A planning application has been lodged with Cardiff Council to transform the vacant unit at 185-187 Broadway in Adamsdown into a restaurant with an ancillary takeaway. The proposal, detailed in the application documents, seeks approval to create an internal seating area where customers can enjoy hot cooked food, alongside a new food outlet for the local community.

The application states:

“The proposal would provide an internal seating area for customers to enjoy hot cooked food whilst also providing a new food outlet for the local community.”

It further elaborates that “the vacant unit will be converted to a restaurant providing new flavours of food for the community with freshly-cooked grilled chicken.” This focus on grilled, rather than fried, food positions the outlet as a fresh and healthy dining option currently limited in the area.

As covered by WalesOnline, the site has stood long-vacant and is now overgrowing with weeds, making its potential regeneration a key aspect of the submission. The application highlights how the project would bring the building back into active use, addressing a visible eyesore in the Adamsdown parade.

Which Franchise Is Behind the Cardiff Restaurant Proposal?

The restaurant is described as part of a well-established franchise operating more than 250 stores nationwide, with a concept similar to Nando’s. However, the application does not disclose the specific brand name. It notes:

“The well-established brand will regenerate the vacant building and attract people to the area serving healthy fresh food.”

This franchise model is presented as a means to ensure reliability and draw customers familiar with the chain elsewhere.

WalesOnline reporting attributes this detail directly from the planning documents, emphasising the franchise’s role in providing “new flavours of food” through freshly grilled chicken. No additional sources have named the franchise, maintaining the anonymity as per the official submission.

How Many Jobs Will the New Adamsdown Restaurant Create?

The proposal outlines the creation of 15-20 jobs for local people, encompassing both full-time and part-time roles. This employment opportunity is positioned as a direct benefit to the Adamsdown community, supporting residents in the local labour market.

According to the application, as quoted in WalesOnline, these positions would stem from the restaurant’s operations, including seating service and takeaway functions. The jobs are expected to prioritise local hires, contributing to reduced unemployment in the area.

What Economic Benefits Does the Application Claim for Broadway?

The development promises a “much-needed economic boost” to the Broadway area by introducing a new restaurant within the local parade. It aims to attract customers from the community and nearby businesses, increasing footfall along Broadway and Newport Road.

Further benefits listed include support for neighbouring businesses through heightened activity, contributions to the local economy via business rates, supplier relations, and ongoing investment in the premises. The application underscores how the franchise’s established presence would amplify these effects, drawing visitors and sustaining long-term vitality.

WalesOnline highlights that the project would introduce a healthy dining option—freshly grilled, not fried—filling a gap in local offerings and encouraging repeat custom.

Why Is the Vacant Unit on Broadway Described as Long-Empty?

The unit at 185-187 Broadway has remained unused for an extended period, leading to overgrowth with weeds and contributing to the area’s decline. The planning submission frames the restaurant as a regeneration effort, revitalising a dormant commercial space.

This transformation is presented not only as aesthetic improvement but as a catalyst for broader commercial revival. By reactivating the site, the proposal seeks to prevent further deterioration and restore its role in the parade’s economic fabric.

What Food Options Will the Proposed Restaurant Offer?

The menu will centre on freshly-cooked grilled chicken, described as providing “new flavours” for the community. The application specifies an emphasis on healthy, grilled preparations over fried alternatives, aligning with demands for nutritious fast-casual dining.

This approach mirrors the franchise’s nationwide model, akin to Nando’s, focusing on fresh food to appeal to health-conscious consumers. Internal seating will allow for dine-in experiences, complemented by takeaway services.

How Does the Proposal Benefit Neighbouring Businesses on Broadway?

Increased footfall from the restaurant is expected to spill over to adjacent shops and services on Broadway and Newport Road. The application argues this synergy would enhance trade for local businesses, fostering a more vibrant commercial strip.

WalesOnline notes the potential for the franchise’s draw—over 250 stores strong—to pull in customers who might patronise multiple outlets in one visit. This interconnected benefit is tied to the site’s strategic location in the parade.

What Role Does Cardiff Council Play in Approving the Plans?

Cardiff Council holds the authority to grant or deny planning permission for the conversion. The application awaits review, with outcomes determining whether the restaurant and takeaway proceed.

No timeline for the decision has been specified in available reports, but the submission’s detailed benefits—jobs, economy, health options—aim to support approval. WalesOnline has tracked the filing without further council commentary at this stage.

Background of the Development

The proposal emerges amid ongoing efforts to revitalise Adamsdown’s Broadway, a commercial area marked by vacant units and calls for investment. The site at 185-187 has lain idle for years, symbolising broader challenges in maintaining active high-street presence in Cardiff’s inner suburbs. This application reflects a trend of franchise expansions targeting such spaces, leveraging established brands to inject vitality. Planning documents, submitted formally to Cardiff Council, draw on the franchise’s nationwide footprint of over 250 outlets to assure viability. Local context includes community needs for affordable, healthy eateries, as the area lacks diverse grilled-food options. WalesOnline first detailed the story, linking it to wider Cardiff regeneration narratives.

Prediction: Impact on Local Residents and Businesses

This development could provide 15-20 employment opportunities for Adamsdown residents, potentially easing local job scarcity through full- and part-time roles tied to restaurant operations. Increased footfall on Broadway might sustain neighbouring shops by drawing more daytime and evening visitors, bolstering trade in a vacancy-prone parade. Residents gain access to a new healthy grilled-chicken outlet, addressing limited fresh dining choices, while the site’s revival removes a weed-overgrown eyesore. Local economy benefits via business rates and supplier spending could fund council services, though outcomes hinge on council approval. For franchise customers nationwide, another outlet expands convenient, Nando’s-like options in Cardiff.