A popular international restaurant chain made a major push into Southern California just a few years ago, hoping to establish a much larger presence in the region. Instead, the brand has now pulled back dramatically, leaving just one location operating in the area.
Ambitious expansion plans
Pret a Manger, the London-based chain known for freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, wraps, coffee and other grab-and-go foods, entered Southern California with ambitious plans. In 2022, Pret partnered with Dallas Holdings on an agreement to develop at least 40 locations in the region over several years.
The first standalone Los Angeles location opened in Westwood in 2024, followed by additional locations including Studio City and Westfield Century City. At the time, the expansion represented a significant push by the British chain to establish itself on the West Coast.
Most Southern California locations have closed
That expansion has now largely unraveled.
According to a new report from SFGATE, only Pret’s location inside Los Angeles International Airport remains open in Southern California. The Westwood and Westfield Century City restaurants closed earlier this year, while the Studio City location also appears to have shut down.
The LAX restaurant, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, is operated by airport concessions company ASUR Airports rather than Dallas Holdings. Pret’s own website continues to list the LAX location.
Why did the expansion fail?
Pret has not publicly provided a specific explanation for the closures. However, industry observers point to the highly competitive Southern California market, where Pret faced established chains such as Sweetgreen and Mendocino Farms, along with numerous independent restaurants.
Changes in office attendance since the pandemic may have also hurt the grab-and-go lunch business, particularly in locations that depended heavily on office workers.
For now, Southern California’s once-promising Pret expansion has been reduced to a single airport location — a dramatic reversal from the company’s original plan for dozens of restaurants.
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