Pret a Manger: It’s French, it’s fresh and is now in India

One of Britain’s best known food chains, Pret A Manger, has come to India in partnership with Reliance Brands. It serves the best of what the English can offer, French food. The first store has opened at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Lose the stiff upper lip

Do not try it with the cabbies of Mumbai, but Pret A Manger sounds nothing like a manger, the English word. The phrase, which means ‘ready to eat’ in French, is pronounced pret-ah mahn-zhay.

Fresh from the store

The shop will sell freshly prepared coffee, tea, smoothies, cookies, sandwiches, soups, croissants, baguettes and salads.

Bowls and baguettes

Smoked chicken and red tapenade baguette, smoked salmon protein salad, pickle and posh cheddar granary sandwich, mango and banana sunshine bowl.

What about veg?

Many international chains have Indianized versions on the menu. However, the original chain also has a vegan version of itself, called Veggie Pret.

An Indian Touch

Menu apart, the Indian store showcases an adapted version of the Emanating Star, a part of the parent chain’s signature logo. But it has an Indian touch with local tribal motifs – Warli patterns — on the back wall of the shop.

Cooked onsite

The company is known for its 100% organic coffee. All food will be prepared at their onsite kitchen, will not contain any additives and will never be carried on to the next day.

It’s now open

The Indian store opened to the public on April 21, 2023. Pret A Manger is brought to India by Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Brands, which has a long-term franchise agreement with the British chain.

More stores?

A second outlet will be opened in Palladium Mall, Lower Parel, Mumbai. An outlet will also be opened in DLF Cyberhub, in Delhi.

History of the Company

The first store was opened by Jeffrey Hyman in June 1983, at 58 Hampstead High Street. Now, it has over 450 stores across the world.