// Pret A Manger eyes 100 news stores over the next three years
// They will focus on areas outside of London with franchise partners
// The move could create up to 2000 new jobs
Pret A Manger is reportedly planning to open 100 new shops across the UK, a move that could create up to 2000 new jobs.
According to The Sunday Times, the new stores will focus on areas outside of London, including in drive-thru shops and on high streets.
The food-to-go retailer has reportedly divided the UK into regions and would choose a franchise partner in each.
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- Pret a Manger staff mull strike action following pay cuts
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Pret A Manger is also reportedly eyeing 100 new directly-operated stores in the next three years.
The news comes shortly after Pret A Manger made a U-turn on plans to axe staff bonuses after employees threatened to strike.
On Thursday, the embattled high street chain had told staff that it planned to make pay-cuts put in place to help it survive the pandemic permanent.
Pret A Manger’ sales fell by 80 per cent at the worst point of the Covid-19 pandemic, as city centres – where the food-to-go chain thrives – were empty amid lockdowns and stay-at-home orders.
Last summer it also made 3000 job cuts — almost a third of its workforce — and now has a store estate of 390 compared to 413 in 2019.
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