Pret A Manger Who Knew Vegan Only Was Hot

Understanding customers and giving them what they want is a trademark of a company that is on the right path according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson.  Last week UK grocerant niche retail chain Pret A Manger reveled that it will be installing vegetarian-only fridges in its shops following the success of its vegetarian-only stores.

The new refrigerators are currently in a month long trial, but could possibly remain in stores for the summer subject to performance. The company opened its second Veggie Pret store in London recently after the success of its initial pop-up veggie store in Soho, which was later made permanent.

Pret A Manger CEO Clive Schlee stated “the new fridges will be accompanied by monthly vegetarian and vegan specials created by the company's chefs.  This approach does carry some risk and we are treading carefully,” … “I’m curious if our veggie menu will appeal more or less to customers when highlighted in a single fridge. Will it attract or deter our regular meat-eaters?”

Schlee continues as he referred to a survey carried out in 2015, which asked consumers if they would rather add a vegetarian fridge into every store, build a Veggie Pret, or simply do nothing. “Fridges narrowly won the vote but we couldn’t resist the bigger challenge for our chefs, so we opened a Veggie Pret pop-up instead”.

He commented that after the success of the two stores the chefs have “expanded Pret’s veggie and vegan offering to such an extent that we can now honour the outcome of the original vote.”  The grocerant niche is filled with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food that is ‘better-for-you’ and this expands that halo of better-for-you according to our own Grocerant Guru®.

For international corporate presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us  the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. Visit: www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.