Pret Accelerates Growth in Germany through Partnership with Berlin-Based Franchisee

28 Oct, 2023

Pret Accelerates Growth in Germany through Partnership with Berlin-Based Franchisee

Pret A Manger is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan in Germany, aiming to more than double its presence in the country by opening five new outlets in Berlin by the end of 2023.

In collaboration with franchisee PM Nord GmbH, the JAB Holding-backed chain will unveil its first two stores in key locations. The first two will open in Friedrichstrasse, a bustling cultural and retail hub, and the Sony Center at The Playce at Potsdamer Platz in November 2023. Additionally, more outlets are set to debut at Leipziger Platz, The Playce at Potsdamer Platz shopping center, and Steglitzer Schloßstraße, one of Berlin's busiest shopping streets, all before the year's end.

PM Nord GmbH, the franchisee partner, has acquired several outlets of the German café chain CARAS, which will be transformed into Pret A Manger locations.

In a press release, Pret A Manger expressed its enthusiasm for this expansion into downtown Berlin, highlighting it as a significant milestone in their European growth strategy. The move comes in response to the local demand for a Pret presence in the city center, and the company is excited to introduce its freshly made food and organic coffee to a broader audience while enhancing Berlin's dynamic food-to-go scene.

Pret A Manger initially entered the German market in 2018 with a store at Berlin Central Station and currently operates four locations across Frankfurt, Berlin, and Düsseldorf. This expansion in Germany aligns with the company's broader goal, established in 2021, to double its business's size by 2026. It follows a recent announcement to triple its US business's size through a joint venture with franchisee Dallas Holdings.

Over the past year, Pret A Manger has been actively opening new stores in Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland, and India, with plans for upcoming launches in Portugal and Spain. With approximately 600 outlets worldwide and a workforce of 9,900 employees across 15 international markets, Pret A Manger is a prominent player in the global food industry. In July 2023, the company reported 2022 sales of £790 million ($1.01 billion) and an operating profit of £50.6 million ($66 million), marking its first profit in five years.