With 11 stores in New York City, Pret A Manger is seeking additional expansion in Boston and Washington, D.C. and expects 40 more cafes to open in New York City by 2010.
The stores sell ready-to-go sandwiches and salads out of self-service refrigerated cases. Every Pret shop has its own kitchen where fresh ingredients are delivered and food is prepared daily. The food, including its breads and pastries, is organic, preservative-free and additive-free.
“We like to call it fast slow food, and it’s about eating local organic food for its health benefits, looking and feeling good and doing so affordably,” said Taryn Langer, a Pret spokesperson.
The shop on 39th St. and 7th Ave. in New York City is the busiest Pret in the world, according to the company. The store generates $3,683 per square foot and as much as $5,000 per hour. Worldwide revenue for the company reached $400 million last year; $18 million came from U.S. sales.