SSP Group acquires franchise rights for Pret A Manger in Switzerland

SSP Group currently operates five Pret A Manger stores in Switzerland and has acquired a further three outlets as part of the deal | Photo credit: Pret A Manger

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SSP Group has extended the reach of its global travel hub portfolio with the acquisition of franchise rights for Pret A Manger in Switzerland.
 
The deal gives SSP rights to develop the Pret brand in German-speaking Switzerland, where it already operates five stores at Zürich Airport, and will see the UK-based travel concession acquire three existing stores from former Pret franchisee P-Star Food.
 
Swiss German is the main language spoken across the north-western, central and east regions of Switzerland, which make up around 65% of the European nation.
 
“We have plans to grow the brand in German-speaking Switzerland, primarily across rail stations and other prime locations,” said Jeremy Fennell, CEO SSP Nordics and Continental Europe.
 
SSP opened its first Pret A Manger outlet in Switzerland in 2019.
 
“SSP has supported our expansion strategy in German-speaking Switzerland very successfully,” added Stéphane Klein, Managing Director Pret Europe.
 
The acquisition builds on recent travel hub gains for SSP internationally.
 
In November 2022, SSP acquired UK-based AMT Coffee out of administration, retaining 25 of the troubled operator’s 43 outlets, which are predominantly located at railway stations.
 
SSP also acquired US food and beverage franchise operator, Midfields Midfield Concession Enterprise Inc. (MCE) in May 2022, a deal that extended the UK travel hub operator’s presence at 30 of the largest airports in the US.

SSP Group manages around 2,800 food and beverage outlets at transport hubs across 36 countries. Its portfolio includes licensed Starbucks Greggs, M&S Simply Food, and LEON stores, as well as its own brand concepts Upper Crust and Soul & Grain. 
 
Following significant disruption to its business during the pandemic, SSP has since rebounded and reported full-year 2022 revenues of £2.2bn ($2.7bn), 162% higher than for same period in 2021. The travel concession operator is targeting 33% sales growth in 2023.