British sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger has decided not to proceed with its intention to establish outlets in Israel.
The decision is said to result from travel limitations imposed on UK personnel due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas in Palestine.
In December 2022, Pret A Manger finalized a deal with two Israeli firms, Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group, to introduce the Pret brand to Israel.
Even with the agreement in place, there haven’t been any Pret shops established in the country so far.
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Pret A Manger’s strategy, announced in 2021, aimed to double its business size within five years, including expansion into Israel.
With joint ownership by investment firm JAB and founder Sinclair Beecham, Pret A Manger currently runs 650 shops in 18 global markets.
Challenges Faced in Establishing Pret in Israel
A spokesperson from Pret A Manger said, “The extent of the progress regarding the store opening plans remains unclear at this time. We have made the challenging choice to terminate our existing agreement with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group.”
“Our teams have been unable to carry out the essential training and checks needed to establish Pret in a new market because of the significant and ongoing travel restrictions.” Our colleagues who go to Israel are not covered by our travel insurance policy.
According to a report in The Times of Israel, the coffee chain had plans to open a minimum of 40 cafes in the country by the year 2033.
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