Pret A Manger plans UK meal deal trials to boost lunchtime sales

Pret A Manger is set to trial meal deals in the UK during the final quarter of 2025 as part of a strategy to compete with supermarkets like Tesco and boost lunchtime sales. The trials will offer combinations such as a croissant and drink for breakfast and a sandwich, drink, and crisps for lunch, with Pret testing different price points to gauge customer response. This move comes amid rising meal deal prices at supermarkets, with Tesco recently increasing its offer by 25p due to food inflation. Pret is focusing on delivering strong value for money to grow the brand and return to sustainable profits after reporting a significant pre-tax loss of £525.2 million for the year ending January 2025, largely due to a £552.9 million non-cash write-down by its owner JAB. Despite the losses, Pret saw a 2.8% increase in like-for-like sales and expanded its store count by 11%, with plans for further growth in the UK and US markets particularly around travel hubs and city centers. CEO Pano Christou emphasized the importance of offering value as Pret adapts to the intense competitive pressures in the hospitality sector.