Nadine Osman
British sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger has abandoned plans to open branches in Israel, attributing the decision to travel restrictions on UK staff due to Israel’s conflict with Palestinians.
Pret A Manger, known for its organic coffee and freshly prepared grab-and-go food, operates over 600 branches across Europe, North America, and Asia, employing more than 13,000 people globally.
The retailer, owned by investment firm JAB and founder Sinclair Beecham, had agreed with the Israeli retail group Fox Group and foodservice business Yarzin Sella Group in December 2022 to launch at least 40 cafes in Israel over the next decade. However, no Pret shops have been opened in Israel since.
The extent of progress on the store opening plans remains unclear.
A Pret spokesperson stated, “We have taken the difficult decision to end our current agreement with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group.”
“The significant ongoing travel restrictions have meant that our teams have not been able to conduct the checks and training needed to set up Pret in a new market. Under the terms of Pret’s travel insurance, any colleagues travelling to Israel would not be insured.”
In a statement to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, Israeli fashion store chain Fox-Wizel Ltd. said that on May 30 the London-based chain cancelled the license agreement signed between the parties due to a force majeure event resulting from the war.
In 2021, Pret outlined a plan to double its business size by 2026 and currently operates over 650 shops across 18 markets.
Some Western food brands, such as McDonald’s and Starbucks, have faced protests and boycott campaigns in the Middle East due to their perceived pro-Israeli stance.
Photo: On February 23, 2023, University of Manchester Friends of Palestine and Youth Front for Palestine organised a protest in Manchester, marching through the streets and into Pret a Manger stores to oppose their plans to open 40 new outlets in apartheid Israel (Credit: Youth Front for Palestine)
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