The major coffee chain is opening its first ever UK drive-thru this May, with reports suggesting many more locations could follow across the country
Motorists will soon have the opportunity to grab a quick bite and a coffee as a high street coffee chain enters the world of UK drive thrus. Pret A Manger is set to launch its first-ever drive-thru this May. And the location has been revealed by one of our sister titles after flyers were seen by locals.
The Sun has today reported there are plans for many similar sites as well. It comes after CEO Pano Christou told the Times Pret could open 300 to 400 new travel locations – some of which could be drive-thrus. “We are exploring it,” he said at the time. “Because we think our offer [of fresh products] is so different to everyone else.”
One such site is now reportedly close to opening. According to the MEN, the first drive-thru Pret A Manger in the UK is due to open in Cheshire this spring.
Signs Pret A Manger first drive-thru will open soon
Advertisements and flyers have been spotted at the former Starbucks cafe at Oakwood Gate services in Birchwood, on the outskirts of Warrington, heralding the upcoming opening. This is likely to be just the beginning, as Pret CEO Pano Christou revealed to the Sunday Times last November that the brand intends to expand further with more outlets at motorway services and airports, as well as drive-thrus.
That Times report said at the time that a “handful of drive-thru locations are in the works”. The Sun reports that the new venture is being launched in collaboration with major petrol station operator, Motor Fuel Group.
Pret currently operates around 500 shops in the UK (around 250 in London) and about 700 globally across 21 markets. Pret employs approximately 6,100 Team Members, Baristas and Shop Managers in the UK and around 12,500 globally.
Working alongside The Pret Foundation, Pret says it will donate surplus food at the end of each day to local charities. Last year, Pret launched a new shop format with plans to roll out more spacious, family-friendly environments offering made-to-order food and drink service designed for longer, more leisurely visits.
The new format was introduced in Broughty Ferry and Maidenhead in June 2025. Pret said at the time it was testing the format as it continues to expand beyond London and “adapt the brand to suit different working patterns and lifestyles”.
At the time, Clare Clough, Pret’s Managing Director for UK & Europe, said: “Throughout the past five years, we’ve made it a priority to bring Pret to more people, whether you’re a City worker commuting to the office, a parent juggling work and family life, or someone catching up with friends.
“Now, we’re taking that further, making Pret a destination for customers in a bit less of a rush who want a comfortable space to enjoy delicious food and spend time with family and friends. Our teams have been hard at work making sure everything from the shop design to the unique menu items have been carefully thought through and we can’t wait to see how our customers respond.”
