Pret A Manger (A)

Economics, Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Merson R

Rupert Merson

2018

This case series takes us through the story of Pret A Manger, one of the first up-market sandwich bar chains in London. The series explores the founding of a business as an entrepreneurial venture and then its growth both nationally and internationally and the problems this brings. It touches on managerial issues, external investment and the decision points that founders and management have to make. Case (A) documents the first decade, 1987-1997, from the founding of a single shop in London to slow but steady growth with a handful of shops outside London. Case (B) follows the years 1998-2002 as the business started to struggle with its own successful growth, both nationally and internationally. Case (C) picks up in 2003-2007, with major changes leading to a turnaround of the business. Case (D) takes the story from 2007-2011, post the successful turnaround. The founders decided to sell, but this was the period of the global economic crisis and business was tough, as was selling. Pret A Manger was sold, however, and the rest of the case follows the subsequent story and continued expansion.

Corporate turnarounds, Entrepreneurship, Growth strategy

Restaurant industry

CS-05-027

https://publishing.london.edu/cases/pret-a-manger-a/

No