Large local fashion and food retail group bringing Pret A Manger to Cyprus

The highly popular Pret A Manger chain of eateries is coming to Cyprus, with multiple locations of the franchise planned.

Often referred to as just 'Pret,' the multi-national sandwich shop and coffee shop franchise chain was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in London. Since 1986, Pret has grown from one shop in Hampstead to a projected 700-plus locations across four continents by the end of 2024.

According to reliable sources, it is being brought to Cyprus by a large fashion and food retail group that already has a strong presence on the island.

It is worth noting that Pret A Manger's CEO is British Cypriot Pano Christou who is known for working his way up the corporate ladder. In a recent interview, Christou also revealed that Pret had in 2024 begun a three year back-end transformation project.

“This will transform our operational demand planning, ensuring we have smart, accurate forecasting and rota planning tools, and more accurate ingredient ordering,” he told PwC UK. In the same interview, Christou also underlined, "You can't hire someone who can make sandwiches and teach them to be passionate. So we hire passionate people and teach them to make sandwiches.”

Pano Christou

Christou grew up in Tooting, South London where his mother, from Cyprus, worked as a nurse who also worked as a cleaner on occasion to help support the family, and his half-Greek, half-Italian father was a mini-cab driver. He began working at McDonald's at the age of 16 before moving on to Pret A Manger and working his way up the ranks to reach the position of CEO.

As fans of the brand already know, Pret A Manger emphasises the use of natural ingredients and advertises that its sandwiches are made on the day of purchase in a kitchen at each location, with the stated exception of a few small outlets. Food left unsold at the end of the day at the UK and other locations is generally collected by charities.

As noted on the chain's British website, "Since opening our first shop in 1986, Pret's mission has been simple. To serve freshly made food and good organic coffee, whilst also trying to do the right thing. That's why our food is handmade in our shop kitchens throughout the day and anything we don't sell, goes to charity. That's also why our coffee is organic (and always will be) and our Coffee Fund is supporting the next generation of farmers. It's (partly) what we think makes Pret special."

The menu typically includes hot food, sandwiches and wraps, hot drinks, salads, sweet and savoury snacks from pastries to cookies and cakes, fruit and fruit pots and cold drinks.

Examples of hot foods listed on the chain's UK website include porridge and other breakfast choices such as Birchers and yoghurt bowls, as well as 'Hot food boxes' such as 'Chicken Arrabbiata Pasta Bake' and 'Kale & Caulu Macaroni Cheese' among many other choices.

As the festive season approaches, there are also many seasonal choices on the menu including the Boxing Day Toastie, Melvin the Snowman Gingerbread and Maple Pecan Latte.

The menu also includes a choice of veggie and vegan-friendly options and a children's menu.