The UK is soon to see the debut of the inaugural Pret A Manger drive-thru, marking the company’s strategic move to compete with established coffee chains like Costa and Starbucks, who have already introduced similar concepts in previous years.
Pano Christou, the head of the chain, disclosed plans for this venture as part of an expansion initiative into more locations such as motorway services and airports. He expressed the potential for 300 to 400 Pret travel venues in the future.
Scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, the first Pret drive-thru location is yet to be confirmed, although it is likely to be situated at a motorway service area, according to Christou. He highlighted the uniqueness of their fresh product offerings as a driving force behind exploring drive-thru outlets.
While no detailed plans have been finalized, the company is preparing to join the ranks of major coffee chains like Starbucks and Costa by establishing drive-thru sites, mirroring the success of over 300 drive-thru locations each for these competitors in the UK.
In contrast, Pret’s journey began in 1986 with its first store in London and has since expanded to encompass more than 700 stores across 21 countries.
Beyond the drive-thru innovation, Pret has also revealed plans to introduce meal deals, with trials expected to commence later this year. This initiative aligns with supermarket trends, as retailers like Tesco and Sainsbury’s have long offered meal deals, although recent inflation has led to price increases in this popular lunch option.
Christou reflected on the evolution of Pret’s customer base, moving beyond its original white-collar clientele to a more diverse audience. Starting as an assistant manager in a central London branch in 2019 at the age of 22, he has ascended to become the chain’s leader.
This strategic shift demonstrates Pret’s commitment to evolving its offerings and expanding its reach in the competitive food and beverage market.
