Pret A Manger Debuts in Joburg!
Excitement is in the air! Melrose Arch in Joburg’s artistic hub has opened its doors to Pret A Manger on 14 February 2025. This globally beloved brand is the first of its kind in South Africa – an expansion spearheaded by the Millat Group. A second store is soon to follow at Rosebank’s The Zone later this year.
The Legend of Pret A Manger
Pret is known for its quality, sustainability and ethical food sourcing, as well as organic coffee. Its menu features a diverse range of freshly made sandwiches, wraps, salads and snacks.
The brand is obsessed with its ethos of offering freshly prepared food, made in their shop kitchens daily. Therefore, all unsold perishable food is donated to local charities at the end of the day. Pret’s social impact is therefore a profound one.
Minimising waste and maximising community impact is at the forefront at Pret A Manger. Of course, this aligns with South African ideologies too, making the partnership a perfect one.
Pret A Manger Makes Jozi Home
Initially opened in London in 1986, the brand has since expanded to 700 shops across 20 markets. And, South Africa’s time with the brand has finally come, representing further growth in not only the brand, but also the country’s journey.
Hamza Farooqui, CEO of Millat Group, says: “We are incredibly excited to bring Pret A Manger to South Africa. This is not just about opening new shops; it’s about introducing an entirely new café culture – one that revolves around freshly handmade food and a commitment to quality.”
South Africa is a diverse nation with many cultures and always room for more. Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger, says: “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.”
The Pret A Manger Menu: Jozi Style
Whilst known worldwide for their freshly made, on-the-go food, Pret A Manger Melrose Arch is adopting a South African twist. In honour of the country’s rich and diverse culinary heritage, patrons will see the Pret menu feature South African staples.
Signature offerings include the Soutvleis Sandwich, which features traditional cured meat on Pret’s signature granary bread. Another is the Chakalaka Chicken Wrap with bold and spicy flavours. The Braaibroodjie Toastie offers a South African smoky braai take on Pret’s classic grilled sandwiches.
Breakfast offerings include the Boerie Breakfast Bowl whilst dessert boasts a Milk Tart Temptation Pot. Further to this, the Peppermint Crisp Pot is a South African classic that also graces the international menu.
Naturally, Pret will still feature its global favourites – from freshly prepared baguettes to smoothies and organic coffee. This mixture of old and new will surely allow Pret to nestle itself into the City of Gold well.
Farooqui says: “In bringing the brand to the country, we wanted to ensure that while South Africans get to experience the global Pret brand, they also find flavours that resonate with them. Our menu has been carefully curated to celebrate the delicious flavours of South African cuisine while staying true to Pret’s commitment to freshly prepared food made with high-quality ingredients.”
Furthermore, every ingredient at Pret A Manger in Melrose Arch will be sourced locally so as to support the South African economy. Farooqui explains that they take great pride in partnering with local suppliers to bring their customers the highest quality ingredients, while also uplifting the communities they operate in.
The hustle and bustle of Jozi is perfect for an on-the-go café like Pret A Manger. It brings with it a refreshing English culture, whilst also adding a twist of South African flavour!
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