| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail outlets |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder(s) | Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe |
| Headquarters | City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom |
| Products | Sandwiches and snacks |
| Website | http://www.pret.com/ |
Pret a Manger is a British sandwich retail chain based in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom.[1] The name "Pret a Manger" comes from the French prêt à manger, meaning "ready to eat", a reference to prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear as distinct from "bespoke").
The company was founded in London in 1986 by friends Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe (who later founded the Itsu chain of sushi cafes), the duo having met while studying property law at the Polytechnic of Central London.
In 2001, McDonald's bought a 33% non-controlling stake in the USA branch of the company,[2] which they sold in 2008 to private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital, owners of clothing retailer Fat Face.[3][4]
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The menu includes sandwiches, filled baguettes, soups, salads and coffee. Pret also prepares desserts, such as American muffins, cakes, and croissants.
The company's marketing claims a passion for food, and that all items are made from natural ingredients. The company says that all sandwiches are made on the day of purchase in a kitchen at each location (with the stated exception of a few, very small, outlets), and that those left unsold at the end of the day are collected by charities that provide food to the homeless. Sandwiches are packaged in paperboard rather than sealed plastic, to emphasize that they are fresh and should not be kept overnight.
85% of their trade is in London, where around three-quarters of their stores are located. As of November 2011, there were 220 UK shops, 163 in London. Pret has expanded to New York (29 stores), Hong Kong (11 stores), Washington, D.C. (3 stores), and Chicago (3 stores). Unlike many other fast food outlets, Pret a Manger refuses to franchise.
In Hong Kong, there are 11 Pret a Manger outlets as of November 2011.[5]
In New York, there are 29 Pret a Manger outlets as of November 2011.[6]
In Chicago, there are three Pret a Manger outlets as of November 2011, one located on West Adams Street and the others on North LaSalle Street,and 73 West Monroe.[7]
In Washington, D.C., the first Pret a Manger outlet opened on 20 January 2009 in time for the Presidential inauguration. Since then two additional stores have opened in DC.
In 1998, the company employed 1,400 people, of whom 19% were from the UK and 60% were from other European Union countries, mainly in Eastern Europe. Pret A Manger employs one in every 14 applicants. Applicants go on a one-day experience day at a shop and their success is determined by the other staff members, who vote the applicant in or not. Many managers and senior executives have come from within the company.[8]