09 Feb 2025 Pret A Manger opens in South Africa
Globally popular Pret A Manger is about to open its first local branch …
A year after announcing its plans to establish a South African footprint, comes news that the first Pret outlet will open its doors in chic Melrose Arch on 14 February 2025, followed by one in The Zone in Rosebank later this year.
This marks a significant milestone, not just for the brand but for South African food lovers eager to experience Pret’s freshly made meals and organic coffee.
This expansion, spearheaded by the Millat Group, brings a brand renowned for its quality, sustainability, and ethical food sourcing into a market that appreciates freshly prepared, wholesome food.
Hamza Farooqui, CEO of Millat Group, is optimistic about the launch, emphasising that South Africans have a deep appreciation for high-quality coffee and food made with care. “We are incredibly excited to bring Pret A Manger to South Africa. This is not just about opening new shops; it’s about introducing a café culture that revolves around freshly handmade food and a commitment to quality.”
Since its humble beginnings in London in 1986, Pret A Manger has grown into a global brand with over 700 shops across 20 markets. The South African expansion represents another step in its journey — one that stays true to the brand’s ethos of offering freshly prepared food, made in shop kitchens every day.
Pret’s menu features a diverse selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and snacks, alongside an extensive range of organic coffees and teas. The brand is also committed to social impact, ensuring that any unsold food at the end of each day is donated to local charities, reinforcing its promise to the community.
Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger, said: “This opening is an important step in Pret’s global journey. South Africa’s dynamic food culture and vibrant community made Johannesburg the perfect location for our first shop on the continent.
“We’re thrilled to bring a touch of Pret to this incredible city while incorporating South African flavours into our menu.”
(Pic anbove: Pret a Manger CEO, Pano Christou, with Millat Group CEO, Hamza Farooqui.)
About Pret A Manger: Pret A Manger is the popular sandwich and coffee chain commonly referred to as Pret and based in the UK. The first shop opened in London in 1986 where the company is headquartered today. Pret’s sandwiches, salads and wraps are freshly handmade each day in shop kitchens using quality ingredients and all coffees and teas are organic. Pret operates more than 700 shops worldwide in 20 international markets (including UK, Ireland, US, Hong Kong, France, Dubai, Kuwait, India, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium, Singapore, Germany, Canada, Italy, Spain). See more at https://www.pret.com
About the Millat Group: The Millat Group is a principal-owned and led family office adopting a private equity approach, deploying capital where value arbitrage exists. The company has invested in hospitality, downstream fuel and convenience. See more at www.millatglobal.com