Pret A Manger has recently inaugurated its first drive-thru location in the UK as part of a new pilot program. The drive-thru, situated in Warrington, Cheshire near junction 21 of the M6, was launched in collaboration with Motor Fuel Group.
In a bid to extend its presence in transport and travel settings, Pret is now in direct competition with industry counterparts like Costa Coffee and Starbucks, which already operate drive-thru outlets. Currently, the coffee chain boasts 220 establishments in airports, train stations, and service areas along motorways across the UK.
The newly opened Warrington drive-thru features a single lane for vehicles, complemented by an indoor seating area accommodating up to 48 patrons, EV charging stations, and customer restroom facilities.
Pret’s entire breakfast and lunch menu is available at the drive-thru, offering a selection of popular snacks, as well as a variety of hot and cold beverages including coffee and smoothies. Ross Warnes, the President of Pret A Manger for the UK and Ireland, expressed enthusiasm for the company’s growth prospects in travel hubs and roadside locations through the drive-thru initiative.
Jack Tindall, the Head of Food Service Operations at Motor Fuel Group, highlighted the significance of being Pret’s largest franchise partner in the UK and emphasized the importance of launching the first-ever Pret drive-thru, anticipating a positive reception from the local community in Warrington.
In March, Pret expanded its presence with the opening of three new outlets in partnership with Roadchef, enhancing its travel-focused expansion strategy. Additionally, the menu was upgraded to include new offerings such as triple sandwiches, including the All-Day Breakfast Triple and the Everyday Triple, along with the return of the Sausage & Bacon Ciabatta hot roll.
Moreover, new items like the Thai Style Chicken Baguette, Shawarma Spiced Chicken Half Flatbread, and Falafel, Avo & Chipotle Half Flatbread have been introduced, providing customers with a diverse range of options to customize their meals.
