Pret is opening its first ever drive-thru location in the UK this spring

Pret A Manger has cafés everywhere – high streets, shopping malls, railway stations, airports, petrol stations. If you live in London, where Pret seems to occupy at least one site every few hundred metres, you’re probably sick of the sight of it. But there’s one place it has yet to venture. The ubiquitous coffee chain has its sights set on joining the likes of Costa and Starbucks and launching its very first drive-thru. 

Pret first revealed that it was exploring the prospect of opening drive-thrus in November. In an interview with the Sunday Times, the brand’s chief exec Pano Christou said that it was discussing the idea because Pret’s ‘offer [of fresh products] is so different to everyone else’. He reckons there’s potential for up to 400 travel locations, whether they be airport kiosks or roadside drive-thrus. 

We now know that Pret’s first drive-thru will launch in May, though it’s still not clear where it’ll pop up. The site will be opened in partnership with Motor Fuel Group, the UK’s largest forecourt operator. Finally, you’ll be able to pick a posh cheddar and pickle baguette without leaving the comfort of your car. There are 60 walk-in roadside Pret locations at the moment, with 30 more, including drive-thrus, on the way. 

The latest update comes as Pret works on introducing a number of different formats across the country. It opened two fresh format regional coffeeshops in Broughty Ferry (near Dundee) and Maidenhead in Berkshire last year, putting more focus into dining in with made-to-order-food, more comfortable seating, a full crockery service and a children’s play area. 

The brand is set to launch that same format at its existing store in Henley-on-Thames and at a new (currently undisclosed) site in the north of England. 

Overall, Pret has ambitions to boost its number of UK sites from 500 to 1,500, with a focus on travel-based locations like airports and service stations. 

ICYMI: This legendary Swiss bakery is opening its first British location this month.

Plus: Popular American restaurant chain Chili’s is set to launch in the UK. 

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