Abstract
The case describes the origins and development since the 1980s of Pret a Manger, a chain of up market coffee and sandwich shops in the UK which was started in London with a single store by two entrepreneurs who met while students. Based on a positioning of quality food and ingredients, healthy eating and being environmental friendly, Pret a Manger now has over 130 shops throughout Britain and a turnover of more than 100 million a year. The chain has also expanded overseas to New York in the US and to Hong Kong and more recently, Japan. In 2001 a 33% stake in Pret a Manger was acquired by the fast food company McDonalds. The case discusses the competitive positioning of the Pret a Manger brand, its organisational culture and style which is responsible for delivering a high level of product and service quality in its services marketing mix, problems in international growth and the threat posed to Pret''s brand credibility by the McDonalds acquisition.
About
Abstract
The case describes the origins and development since the 1980s of Pret a Manger, a chain of up market coffee and sandwich shops in the UK which was started in London with a single store by two entrepreneurs who met while students. Based on a positioning of quality food and ingredients, healthy eating and being environmental friendly, Pret a Manger now has over 130 shops throughout Britain and a turnover of more than 100 million a year. The chain has also expanded overseas to New York in the US and to Hong Kong and more recently, Japan. In 2001 a 33% stake in Pret a Manger was acquired by the fast food company McDonalds. The case discusses the competitive positioning of the Pret a Manger brand, its organisational culture and style which is responsible for delivering a high level of product and service quality in its services marketing mix, problems in international growth and the threat posed to Pret''s brand credibility by the McDonalds acquisition.