Pret A Manger is set to test a new meal deal in an effort to compete with supermarkets for lunchtime customers.
The coffee chain said it will trial the format in the final quarter of 2025 as part of efforts to offer more “value-driven” options to customers.
While Pret has not disclosed the cost, The Guardian reported the deal will feature combinations including a croissant and coffee at breakfast, a sandwich with crisps, and a lunch main served with a snack and drink.
The launch follows uneven performance at Pret, acquired by Panera Bread parent JAB Holdings in a £1.5bn deal in 2018.
Pret’s global sales rose 10% to £1.2bn in the 12 months to 2 January 2025, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 36% to £98m.
Despite sales growth, Pret reported a pre-tax loss of £525.5m last year, following a £552.9m write-down linked to global economic uncertainty and higher UK costs introduced in the 2024 Autumn Budget, The Guardian reported.
Pret now runs more than 700 stores globally, marking 11% growth in 2024.
Chief executive Pano Christou said said: “2024 was another year of growth for Pret, where we took disciplined decisions to protect sales, despite intense strains on the hospitality industry.
“Going forward our priority will be to drive transactions and sustainable growth by offering great value for money for Pret customers. Our focus will be on growing Pret’s market share in the UK and internationally, prioritising city centres and travel hubs, backed by the experience and expertise of additional world-class board members and a strengthened management team.”
Earlier this summer, reports indicated that JAB Holdings is working with advisors to secure new investment in Pret, potentially via an initial public offering (IPO).
The move comes after a period of change at Pret, which last year ended its five-drinks-a-day subscription service and replaced it with a £5-a-month plan offering members up to 50% off barista-made drinks each day. The chain said the switch helped offset around £25m in additional costs.
This summer, Pret launched trials of a family-focused café format with bigger dining areas and play zones in Dundee and Maidenhead.
The chain has also introduced a range of salads that are 60% larger than its previous offerings, aiming to compete with growing brands such as Atis and The Salad Project.
Clare Clough, managing director of Pret in the UK and Europe, will step down after 15 years with the company.