The Johannesburg outlet will serve food and beverages tailored to the South African market and brings the coffee and food-to-go chain’s international presence to 20 countries
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Pret A Manger staff at the Melrose Arch store in Johannesburg, South Africa | Photo credit: Pret A Manger
UK coffee and food-to-go chain Pret A Manger will make its South Africa debut on 14 February 2025 with an outlet in Johannesburg’s up-market Melrose Arch neighbourhood.
Pret, which signed a licensing agreement with private equity firm Millat Group in February 2024, said the upcoming launch marks a significant milestone in its international expansion and brings its global footprint to 20 markets.
In a press release, Pret said the Melrose Arch outlet will serve high-quality food and beverages ‘with a uniquely South African flavour’, including soutvleis sandwiches and braaibroodjie toasties.
“This opening is an important step in Pret’s global journey. South Africa’s dynamic food culture and vibrant community made Johannesburg the perfect location for our first shop on the continent. We’re thrilled to bring a touch of Pret to this incredible city while incorporating South African flavours into our menu,” said Pano Christou, CEO, Pret A Manger.
Other branded coffee chains operating in Melrose Arch include Seattle Coffee Company, Paul, Starbucks and South African branded coffee shop market leader Vida e Caffè, as well as independent café operators The Grind Coffee Company, Hello Sunshine and Mr George.
Opening its first store in London in 1986, Pret A Manger made its international debut in Hong Kong in 2002 and currently operates more than 700 outlets globally – 70% of which are in the UK.
International expansion has been a key pillar of Pret A Manger’s growth strategy since 2021, when Christou outlined plans to double the size of its business within five years.
In September 2024, London-based Pret reported it had achieved the goal three years ahead of schedule, adding that 25% of its total sales now come from international markets.
Pret currently operates international stores in the US, Hong Kong, France, the UAE, Kuwait, India, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Germany, Canada, Italy, Greece, Spain and Qatar.
In January 2025, the coffee and food-to-go chain signed a franchise deal with Nicosia-based retail group Voici La Mode (VLM) to launch in Cyprus before the end of the year.