Pret a Manger has shuttered its remaining vegetarian-only stores as less consumers seek out the specialist meat-free shops.
The sandwich chain is set to convert the three final Veggie Prets in London and Manchester into its regular shop formats by the end of this month.
The transition will mark the end of the concept – which sold only vegetarian and vegan options – after it trialled the format eight years ago.
The chain had 10 veggie outlets at one point and had been planning to convert the majority of Eat stores it had acquired in 2019.
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However, the company was forced to revaluate its plans during the pandemic.
It began shuttering a throng of Veggie Pret branches in late 2022, as it said its other stores was offering meat-free options so it did not need the standalone sites.
A spokesman said the plans to ditch the veggie concept meant that it would be offering an “even broader selection” to customers visiting its stores.
Pret, which opened 41 new sites last year, said that one in three of the main meals it now sells is either vegetarian or vegan.
The spokesman added: “Every Pret shop is a Veggie Pret shop, with new vegetarian and vegan-friendly products coming onto our menu all the time.”
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