Pret A Manger to open more vegetarian-only stores
The sandwich chain launched its plant-based café in Soho for a month-long run in July, but it was extended through the summer due to high demand.
Now Pret is aiming to open more Veggie stores across the UK, with the second likely to launch in the City of London before the end of the year.
Clive Schlee, chief executive of Pret, wrote in a blog post: “What is it about the shop that has struck such a chord? Clearly, the move towards a plant-based diet is gathering momentum, especially among millennials.
“Vegetarians and vegans are an articulate and social media-savvy group. Many have been advocating eating less meat for years and have been thrilled to see a major UK business take up the cause.”
He added that over 20,000 customers had given feedback on the launch, including famous vegetarian Sir Paul McCartney.
Easy being green
According to The Vegan Society the number of vegans in the UK has tripled to more than half a million in the last ten years.
Though over 50 per cent of Veggie Pret's customers are regular meat eaters, vegan dishes and sweet desserts were the most popular items, with the Cacao & Orange Pot selling ‘ten times’ what was predicted.
The store was launched after 10,000 Pret customers voted in a poll to see more plant-based items on the menu last year.
Sales of vegetarian items at Pret grew by double-digits in 2015, with diners eating their way through five million avocados last year alone.
