Pret A Manger to launch sandwich stores in India

Pret A Manger to launch sandwich stores in India

A firm owned by Asia’s richest person is to open Pret A Manger outlets across India under a franchise agreement.

Multi-billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries will run the chain, with the first outlet is expected to open early next year in Mumbai.

“Our partnership with Pret is rooted in the strong growth potential of both Pret as a brand… also of the food & beverage industry in India,” Darshan Mehta, the managing director of Reliance Brands said in a statement.

“We’re looking forward to working with them on what is our most ambitious global franchise partnership to date,” Pret A Manger’s chief executive Pano Christou added.

Pret A Manger, often referred to as simply Pret, was founded in London in 1983, with the first shop opening the following year.

The news comes just two months after Pret revealed it is coming to Ireland, with plans to create 500 jobs in 20 stores on both sides of the border.

Its first store will open on Dublin’s Dawson Street this summer, with plans to open the rest within the next 10 years.

The decision to expand to the Republic and NI came after it reached an agreement with franchise partner Carebrook Partnership Ltd.

Carebrook, which is led by two Irishmen, is one of Pret’s longest-serving franchise partners and has worked with Pret for three decades overseeing shops in London.

Majority co-owner Gerard Loughran grew up in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and has over 30 years’ experience in the UK and US food sector, while minority co-owner Ray McNamara from Dublin has 25 years’ experience in the Irish food industry, including ownership of Ann’s Bakery.

The franchise agreement follows Pret’s announcement last year that it would aim to double the size of the business within five years.