Outrage over inflated prices
Pret A Manger, the popular sandwich chain in the UK, is facing backlash from customers after charging £7.15 for what some are calling 'Britain's worst-value baguette'. The expensive price tag is for the Posh Cheddar and Pickle sandwich at a London Tube station outlet.
Furious customers take to social media
Customers took to social media to express their anger over the exorbitant price. Many have referred to it as a "rip-off". Leyla Hayes wrote, "They’re taking the p**s…that's what's happening." Others, like Scott Dixon, said they would refuse to pay such a high amount, claiming that everything is overpriced in the country. Steve Blower expressed disappointment in what Pret A Manger has become, saying, "Sometimes you reach the conclusion that a brand that you used to like is no longer what it was." Meanwhile, Glenn Boycott joked, "That must be Britain's worst value baguette. For that price you could buy enough to make ten of them."
Discount for Club Pret members
The sandwich is priced at £7.15, or £5.95 to eat out, but customers who are part of the Club Pret membership, which costs £30 a month, can get it for nearly £1.50 less. However, even with the discount, the sandwich still costs £5.72 to eat in at the High Street Kensington station branch.
Pret defends pricing strategy
A spokeswoman for Pret A Manger defended the price of the baguette, stating that it is only this high in transport hubs, and most customers choose to buy it for £4.95 in non-station outlets. She also mentioned that the company is facing intense cost pressures, which they are trying to manage as much as possible.
Rising prices at Pret
A recent investigation by the Financial Times found that Pret sandwich prices have increased by over a third since the beginning of 2022, which is more than double the rate of food inflation. This suggests that customers may be paying significantly more for their sandwiches compared to previous years.
Making your own affordable version
In light of the inflated prices at Pret A Manger, one journalist took matters into their own hands. They were able to recreate the Posh Cheddar and Pickle baguette at home for just £1.50. By purchasing a 55p baguette, a 50p slice of cheese, a 23p red onion, and some pre-washed watercress, they were able to make a similar sandwich at a fraction of the cost. The journalist claimed that there was barely a taste difference between their homemade version and the one from Pret A Manger.
The impact on customers
With dine-in prices almost five times the cost of making it at home, it's no surprise that customers are feeling cheesed off by the prices at Pret A Manger. The outrage over the expensive baguette reflects the increasing frustrations with rising prices in the food industry.
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