Richard Nnadi: The relentless visionary redefining business, culture, philanthropy

Richard Nnadi, widely known as Duke of Spades, is not just a businessman—he is a force of nature. A trendsetter in every industry he ventures into, Richard’s touch turns ideas into gold. From revolutionizing Nigeria’s nightlife to pioneering 24/7 cloud kitchens, launching one of the country’s most beloved burger brands, and now reviving nostalgic African snacks, his journey is one of audacity, innovation, and unshakable drive.

But Richard is more than just an entrepreneur. He is a father, a philanthropist, a brand architect, and a cultural influencer who has consistently rewritten the rules of business. “If you’re going to do something, make sure you’re doing it so well that others have no choice but to follow,” Richard says—a philosophy that has shaped his ventures and inspired many to replicate his blueprint.

Before cloud kitchens became a trend in Nigeria, Richard Nnadi was already executing the concept. In 2019, he co-founded Eve After Dark, a restaurant that started as a home-based food delivery service and evolved into a 24/7 dining phenomenon. What

started with two dispatch bikes and a handful of staff has expanded across continents, with Eve After Dark now serving thousands of customers daily in Lagos, Abuja, and most recently, London.

London’s launch of Eve After Dark was nothing short of a spectacle. A private tasting event drew socialites, business moguls, and celebrities, reinforcing the brand’s reputation as a culinary powerhouse. “Eve After Dark is not just a restaurant; it’s a movement,” Richard says. “We changed how Nigerians experience food—round the clock, high-quality, and with a touch of luxury. Now, we’re doing the same globally.”

Many of Nigeria’s online 24/7 kitchens have drawn inspiration from Eve After Dark, replicating the model Richard and his wife, Chioma Nnadi, built from the ground up. But none have matched the scale of its success.

In 2022, when Nigerian music mogul Don Jazzy decided to step into the food business, he knew he needed a partner who could turn a simple burger joint into an empire. Richard, as co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Jazzy’s Burger, executed a campaign that merged food with pop culture, enlisting celebrities like Tekno, Phyno, and Reekado Banks to push the brand. The result? One of Nigeria’s most talked-about burger chains, blending fast food with entertainment and lifestyle.

“People think selling burgers is easy,” Richard says, “but the truth is, you’re not just selling food; you’re selling an experience, a story, a brand people want to be part of.”

Never one to slow down, Richard’s latest venture, AfroCrunch, is a deeply personal one. Registered under Crunchy Afro Food Ltd, AfroCrunch is bringing back the beloved flavors of traditional African snacks—kokoro, kuli-kuli, chin-chin, plantain chips, and coconut candy—but with a modern twist. The goal? To reintroduce these nostalgic treats to a global audience.

“We all have that one snack from childhood that made us smile,” Richard says. “AfroCrunch is about preserving those memories and making them accessible to a new generation.”

With expansion plans into the UK and Europe, AfroCrunch is poised to be the first African snack brand that truly goes global.

Richard’s impact isn’t limited to boardrooms and restaurant chains. Over a decade ago, he launched the Duke of Spades Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to combating hunger and supporting underprivileged children—particularly those born with HIV.

“For me, success means nothing if you’re not giving back,” Richard says. “There are children who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. If I have the power to change that, why wouldn’t I?”

The foundation has fed thousands across Africa, in places like Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and many more.

Whether it’s nightlife, food, culture, or philanthropy, Richard Nnadi has a singular ability to turn ideas into movements. He doesn’t just start businesses; he starts trends. And as he expands his footprint beyond Africa, one thing remains certain—where Richard goes, the industry follows.