Pret A Manger axes veggie branches as last meat-free stores to be rebranded
The last veggie branches are set to be rebranded by the end of the month
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Pret A Manger has announced it is ditching the concept of vegetarian outlets after finding that consumers buy vegetarian options at all of its outlets.
The move could see the retailers' vegetarian-only outlets switch to normal Prets by the end of this month.
The Veggie Pret sites concerned are on Broadwick Street in Soho, the site of the original pop-up, and Great Eastern Street in the City.
The Deansgate branch in Manchester is also set to convert by the end of the month.
Consumers can find vegetarian options at all Pret A Manger branches
Pret A Manger
Since opening its doors in 1986, Pret has served sandwiches and other products like soups and salad from more than 400 outlets in the UK.
In recent years, it has focused on opening additional stores in regional towns and cities outside of London as part of its expansion.
The chain opened 41 new outlets in the UK last year, after its owner, JAB Holding, announced plans in 2021 to double in size within five years.
The latest additions to the chain are located in Bishop’s Stortford, Colchester and Worthing.
The vegetarian outlets were first introduced as a pop-up in 2016, in a bid to accommodate a growing shift in dietary trends.
Despite being planned as a one-month trial, the outlets became permanent after seeing their popularity skyrocket, with celebrities like Sir Paul McCartney endorsing the move.
The chain began to wind down on the experiment in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, after noting a decline in demand.
In 2022, the sandwich shop closed four of its green outlets, with several more rebranded as regular Prets.
A spokesperson said at the time: “Over half of our menu is vegetarian or vegan with meat-free and vegan options accounting for one in three of our main meals sales.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Pret sells veggie options in all of its stores
PA
Representatives at Pret said they no longer saw the purpose of operating stand-alone vegetarian stores since most of its vegan-friendly options are available at regular stores.
The food-to-go chain said sales of meat-free products, which include hummus and chipotle wraps and falafel sandwiches, were relatively equal across all of its branches.
Katherine Bagshawe, The UK food and coffee director at Pret A Manger, said: “One in three of all our main meals sales are veggie or vegan-friendly.
“Food innovation at Veggie Pret has helped us develop a huge variety of unique and delicious options that everyone can enjoy, not just veggies, including our bestselling ‘VLT’ sandwich and fan favourite Very Berry Croissant.”
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