The UK is about to witness the debut of Pret A Manger’s first drive-thru, a strategic move by the company to challenge established coffee giants like Costa and Starbucks who have long embraced this concept. Pano Christou, the chief of the chain, revealed plans to expand into more motorway services and airports, envisioning a potential future of 300 to 400 Pret travel locations.
Scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, the inaugural Pret drive-thru location is yet to be confirmed, with high chances of it being situated at a motorway service point, according to Christou. Emphasizing the uniqueness of their fresh product offerings, Christou expressed enthusiasm about exploring drive-thru outlets.
Although detailed plans are currently lacking, Pret’s venture into drive-thru settings will align it with major coffee players like Starbucks and Costa, who have established a strong presence with hundreds of drive-thru locations across the UK. Starbucks initiated its first UK drive-thru in Cardiff in 2008, followed by Costa in Nottingham in 2011, with each brand now boasting over 300 drive-thru sites nationwide.
In contrast, Pret’s journey began in 1986 with its first store in London, steadily growing to encompass more than 700 outlets across 21 countries. In addition to drive-thrus, Pret is gearing up for another change by considering the introduction of meal deals, a move aimed at adapting to evolving consumer preferences. While supermarket chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s have long offered meal deals, recent inflation has prompted price hikes on these lunch options.
Christou reflected on the brand’s evolution and expanding customer base, noting the democratization of the Pret brand over time. Starting as an assistant manager at a central London branch in 2019 at the age of 22, he has climbed the ranks to become the head of the chain, symbolizing a remarkable journey within the company.