Pret a Manger to Challenge Supermarkets with New Meal Deal Trials.

The format will be trialled in the year’s final quarter after the chain’s value dropped by a third amid mounting pressures on the hospitality sector.

Pret a Manger is responding to supermarket competition by introducing meal deals, after the chain’s value was cut by a third due to “intense strains” on the hospitality sector.

The sandwich and coffee chain plans to trial the meal deals in the UK in the last quarter of the year. The offering will include breakfast combos—such as a croissant and coffee—and lunch deals with a sandwich, snack, and drink. Prices have not been disclosed. Pret previously launched a meal deal in France in January, which has been performing well.

“Going forward, our priority will be to drive transactions and sustainable growth by offering great value for money for Pret customers,” said Pano Christou, Pret’s CEO.

Meal deals have long been offered by supermarkets and high street retailers, though prices have been rising amid food inflation. Tesco, for example, recently increased its meal deal price to £3.85 for Clubcard holders.

Pret’s parent company, JAB, revealed that the chain made a £525.5m pre-tax loss last year, following a £552.9m non-cash writedown reflecting the value of the brand, properties, and assets. This represents a roughly one-third drop in value compared with its 2018 acquisition price of £1.5bn from Bridgepoint.

Excluding the impairment, Pret posted a £98m operational profit, up 36% year-on-year, with like-for-like sales up 2.8% and total revenues—including new openings—rising 10% to £1.2bn.

Last year, Pret reduced its directly employed staff by nearly 1,400, a 14% drop, though it now employs 12,000 worldwide, including franchise locations. The chain expanded internationally, growing its store count by 11% to 717, with a focus on the US.

The company also replaced its five-drinks-a-day subscription service with a £5-a-month “Club Pret,” offering members 50% off up to five barista-made drinks daily.

Pret’s CEO said the company will continue to focus on growing market share in the UK and internationally, prioritising city centres and travel hubs.

The news comes amid broader challenges for high street chains, with rising costs, increased competition, and struggles in the coffee sector—highlighted by reports that Coca-Cola may only secure £2bn for Costa Coffee, nearly half its 2018 purchase price.