Pret A Manger to Open Its First University Shops in the U.S.
University of Pennsylvania and University of Chicago shops to open in partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company
New York, NY — Pret A Manger is pleased to announce that it has signed its first franchise agreement in the U.S., which will bring its first university shops to the country. The company will open two shops at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania on August 28 (the first Pret A Manger shops in Philadelphia), followed by one at the University of Chicago on September 14.
The three shops will open in partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company, an on-site restaurant company operating more than 1,000 cafes in 33 states for corporations, universities and museums, as well as public restaurants.
The shops will offer Pret’s popular menu of organic coffee and handmade natural food, including sandwiches, salads, wraps, baguettes, and hot options. Using quality, ethically sourced ingredients, all of Pret’s fresh items are prepared on-site in the shop kitchens every day. Favorites from the menu include: the Balsamic Chicken & Avocado Sandwich, Mediterranean Mezze Salad, Coconut Chicken & Miso Sweet Potato Balance Box, and Turkey, Ham & Wisconsin Cheddar Hot Baguette.
“Choosing the right partners is important for Pret, and we really admire Bon Appétit’s values and operational strengths,” stated Jo Brett, Pret’s U.S. President. “Our menu of freshly made food to go is perfect for students juggling a busy academic lifestyle, and I’m sure our organic coffee will also be very popular on campus. Pret is a natural choice for students looking for fresh and nutritious food, and we hope that these three new university shops are the first of many.”
Bon Appétit CEO Fedele Bauccio added, “I have long admired Pret for its fresh, flavorful menu items that can be enjoyed quickly on the go. In addition, Pret’s culinary and sourcing standards align closely with Bon Appétit’s, which will make us a great team.”
Locations
The two University of Pennsylvania shops will serve thousands of students, faculty, staff, and guests flowing through the Wharton School’s iconic Jon M. Hunstman Hall at 3730 Walnut Street. The first shop will be located on the main floor and the second, a smaller outpost, will be located on the second floor serving mostly graduate students.
At the University of Chicago, the shop will be located in the Reynolds Club, the primary student center on campus that serves as a hub for undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff. Located at 5706 S. University Ave., this location in the heart of the Hyde Park campus will serve not only the campus community, but the many guests at more than 500 programs held in the building each year.
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About Pret A Manger
Founded in London in 1986, Pret A Manger is a sandwich and coffee shop creating fresh, handmade sandwiches, salads and wraps in our shop kitchens each day using natural, ethically sourced ingredients. The food doesn’t have a “sell-by” date; Pret supports local food rescue operations by donating unsold food at the end of each day. Pret A Manger is a privately held company with around 450 stores located in the US, UK, Hong Kong, France, Shanghai, Dubai and Singapore. Pret currently has 80 U.S. stores in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Boston.
Pret A Manger media contact: Caki Halprin, [email protected], (646) 757-0471
About Bon Appétit Management Company
Bon Appétit Management Company is an on-site restaurant company operating more than 1,000 cafés in 33 states for corporations, universities, and museums as well as more than a dozen public restaurants including The Commissary and STEM Kitchen and Garden in San Francisco, Terzo Piano at the Art Institute of Chicago, and The Restaurant at The Getty. Bon Appétit chefs cook from scratch, including sauces, stocks, and soups. The Palo Alto–based food service company is a recognized industry leader in environmentally and socially responsible practices, receiving the Acterra Award for Sustainability in March 2016 as well as many previous awards from organizations including the International Association of Culinary Professionals, the James Beard Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Seafood Choices Alliance, and The Humane Society of the United States.
Bon Appétit media contact: Bonnie Powell, [email protected], (650) 798-8022
About the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates ongoing economic and social value around the world. The School has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 9,000 annual participants in executive education programs; and a powerful alumni network of more than 96,000 graduates.
Wharton/Penn Media contact: Barbara Lea-Kruger, [email protected], (215) 898-2698
About the University of Chicago Dining
UChicago Dining operates three residential dining commons, two campus markets, and eleven academic cafes for the University of Chicago, an urban research university with nearly 6,000 undergraduate students and more than 10,000 graduate and professional students. UChicago Dining’s mission is to build community through food, create unique dining experiences, and procure and serve the best food while supporting the surrounding neighborhoods and the city of Chicago.
University of Chicago Media contact: Marielle Sainvilus, [email protected], (773) 834-9159