Pret a Manger

Pret a Manger (in short " Pret " ) is a British sandwich chain, whose restaurants are placed in the fast food sector. The company was founded in London in 1986 by friends Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe. The name comes from the French term for ready to eat.

The chain advertises that all components of the sandwiches are fresh and without any additives, except for baked goods that contain trans-fatty acids with a minimum of preservatives. All sandwiches are freshly prepared on the day of the sale in a kitchen or in the vicinity of each individual business. All fresh products that have not been sold at the end of the day are picked up by boards and distributed to the homeless and needy.

The sandwiches are packed in cardboard instead of plastic, to emphasize that they are fresh and can not be kept overnight.

2001 acquired the McDonald 's Corporation, Chicago, 33 % of the shares of the company. Pret expanded subsequently in New York (now 35 stores ) and Hong Kong (now fourteen shops). Unlike other fast food chains is Pret a Manger no franchise company. 85 % of sales are made ​​in London ( where about 75 % of all shops are located). Since the company is still a private partnership company, insights are in sales currently not possible. In November 2006 there were 155 shops in the UK, of which 118 in London. In February 2008, the private equity firm Bridgepoint 50 % and the investment bank Goldman Sachs took over 25 % of the shares, the company's founder Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe continue to hold 25 %.

The menu consists of sandwiches, Submarine Sandwiches ( sandwiches ), wraps, sushi, soups and salads. In addition, pastries such as muffins, cakes and croissants are offered among others. Fruits such as bananas and apples and a selection of fruit juices and soft drinks, as well as specialty coffees and tea also are offered.

Billboards in the shops, on the packaging and on the website remember with numbered logos constantly to the company ideology. The packaging and the website describe recipes for some of their products.

Employee

In 1998 the company employed about 1,400 people, of which 19 % came from the UK and 60 % from other EU countries came. Pret a Manger selects an average of only one of 14 applicants. Candidates work a day to the sample, after which their performance is judged by the other team members of the business and the basis of which the candidate is then adjusted or not. The company sets up great attention to internal development and many managers and department heads have risen within the company.