Latest news with #madeToOrder
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Pret a Manger trial new store format to lure in more customers
Pret a Manger is introducing a new store format with made-to-order food and larger dining areas to accelerate regional growth across the UK. The new format aims to create a relaxed dine-in atmosphere, catering to the rise in remote working, and is being tested in Broughty Ferry and Maidenhead. Unlike most London stores that focus on "grab-and-go" service, the new shops will feature an exclusive menu, more dine-in space, and a play area for families. This initiative is part of Pret's strategy to expand beyond London, with most recent openings located outside the capital. Clare Clough, Pret's managing director for UK & Europe, stated the new format is designed to be a destination for customers seeking a comfortable space to enjoy food and spend time with family and friends.
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Pret plans mega-stores in bid to encourage people to dine in
Pret a Manger is set to introduce a new store format featuring made-to-order food and expanded dining areas, as part of an initiative to speed up its regional growth throughout the UK. The sandwich and coffee chain, long favoured by London commuters, aims to create an inviting atmosphere for customers to dine in and relax. This adjustment also reflects the increasing prevalence of remote working. With a current portfolio of 500 locations across the UK, Pret is testing the new format in Broughty Ferry near Dundee, and Maidenhead, Berkshire. It said this would differentiate from the format of most of its London stores, where it primarily sells 'grab-and-go' products, with customers typically served in less than a minute. It has developed an exclusive menu for the shops, where much of its menu is made to order, there is more space for dine-in customers and it will operate a Little Stars Cafe play area for families with young children. The move is part of efforts by Pret to expand beyond London, with the vast majority of its recent coffee shop openings taking place outside the capital. Clare Clough, Pret's managing director for UK & Europe, said: 'Throughout the past five years, we've made it a priority to bring Pret to more people, whether you're a City worker commuting to the office, a parent juggling work and family life, or someone catching up with friends. 'Now, we're taking that further, making Pret a destination for customers in a bit less of a rush who want a comfortable space to enjoy delicious food and spend time with family and friends. 'Our teams have been hard at work making sure everything from the shop design to the unique menu items have been carefully thought through and we can't wait to see how our customers respond.' The business was founded in London in 1986 by Julian Metcalfe and Sinclair Beecham. It was bought by German investor JAB Holdings in 2018 for around £1.5 billion. Last week, JAB said it could consider selling a stake in the sandwich chain ahead of a potential stock market flotation.
The Independent
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Pret a Manger to open new larger-format stores in expansion plan
Pret a Manger is launching new-format stores with made-to-order food and more dining space as part of efforts to accelerate its regional expansion across the UK. The sandwich and coffee chain, which has been popular with London commuters, has said the new stores are designed to encourage customers to dine in and take their time, as it also adapts to increased remote working. Pret, which has now grown to an estate of 500 sites across the UK, is trialling the new format in Broughty Ferry near Dundee and Maidenhead, Berkshire. It said this would differentiate from the format of most of its London stores, where it primarily sells 'grab-and-go' products, with customers typically served in less than a minute. It has developed an exclusive menu for the shops, where much of its menu is made to order, there is more space for dine-in customers and it will operate a Little Stars Cafe play area for families with young children. The move is part of efforts by Pret to expand beyond London, with the vast majority of its recent coffee shop openings taking place outside the capital. Clare Clough, Pret's managing director for UK & Europe, said: 'Throughout the past five years, we've made it a priority to bring Pret to more people, whether you're a City worker commuting to the office, a parent juggling work and family life, or someone catching up with friends. 'Now, we're taking that further, making Pret a destination for customers in a bit less of a rush who want a comfortable space to enjoy delicious food and spend time with family and friends. 'Our teams have been hard at work making sure everything from the shop design to the unique menu items have been carefully thought through and we can't wait to see how our customers respond.' The business was founded in London in 1986 by Julian Metcalfe and Sinclair Beecham. It was bought by German investor JAB Holdings in 2018 for around £1.5 billion. Last week, JAB said it could consider selling a stake in the sandwich chain ahead of a potential stock market flotation.
