Pret a Manger is discontinuing its Club Pret subscription, which offered up to five free drinks daily, introduced to boost customer numbers post-pandemic. Starting September, the service will shift to a £10 monthly fee for half-price drinks, down from the previous £30 plan that included a 20% food discount.
Existing subscribers will pay £5 a month until March 2025 before the price increases. UK Managing Director Clare Clough stated the change aims to simplify pricing and improve value for more customers.
The decision has provoked anger online, with many users criticizing the move and threatening to cancel their subscriptions. Despite the backlash, Pret a Manger has seen a resurgence in profitability, with sales up 20% to £430 million in the first half of 2023, partly due to the subscription service.