Pret a Manger poised to open first Irish store – before turning sights to NI
Deli and coffee shop chain, Pret A Manger, is to open its first store in Dublin next week.
The shop at Dawson Street in the south city centre will employ 25 staff when it opens on Friday, the first of 20 new shops that the chain plans to open across the island of Ireland over the next decade.
The announcement of the expansion, which will lead to the creation of 500 jobs in total, was made last April.
“Opening our first shop in the Republic of Ireland on one of Dublin’s most historic streets is an exciting moment for us,” said Guy Meakin, Interim UK and Ireland Managing Director at Pret A Manger.
“For years we’ve had fans in Ireland hoping for a Pret in their home country so we’re delighted we can finally make that happen.”
The outlets in the Republic and Northern Ireland will be rolled out by Carebrook Partnership Limited under a franchise arrangement.
Carebrook is majority owned by UK and US food sector veteran, Gerard Loughran, who grew up in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Ray McNamara from Dublin, who has 25 years’ experience in the Irish food industry and owns Ann’s Bakery is also a minority shareholder.
Carebrook Partnership Ltd has worked with Pret for three decades and runs many of its stores in London where it is a common sight on city centre streets.
“Having grown up in Tipperary, I am thrilled to be bringing Pret to the Republic of Ireland with our first shop opening in Dublin,” Mr Loughran, who is CEO of Carebrook said.
“We have been working hard to ensure we deliver the ultimate Pret experience at Dawson Street, and it’s fantastic to now see it all coming together.”
The chain has also done a deal with Depaul Ireland which will see surplus food donated to the charity at the end of every day.
