Popular coffee and sandwich chain Pret A Manger has announced a major strategic shift, confirming it will completely withdraw its self-serve Express coffee machines from the UK market.
The End of an Express Era
The company confirmed that all 110 Pret Express machines will be removed from their various locations across the country by the end of February 2026. These machines, which were first introduced in 2021, allowed customers to get a quick coffee fix in places like petrol stations and convenience stores, offering the same quality coffee and non-dairy options found in its traditional cafes.
The decision was first reported by trade publication The Grocer, which had seen communications from the machine's distributor, Expresso Plus. A Pret spokesperson later confirmed the news, stating the move is part of a focused investment strategy to grow its UK shop estate.
A Strategic Refocus on Brick-and-Mortar Shops
In an official comment, Pret A Manger explained its reasoning. "We have taken the decision to end our Pret Express trial so that we can focus investment on continuing to grow our UK shop estate," a spokesperson said. "We're working closely with JDE Peet's to ensure a smooth transition and are grateful for their partnership over the past four years."
This renewed focus on physical shops comes after a period of significant expansion for the chain. Last summer, Pret celebrated opening its 500th shop in the UK. Recent months have seen new locations open in cities and towns including Edinburgh, Redditch, Seaham, St Albans, and Leamington Spa.
What Comes Next for the Machines?
While Pret is pulling out of the self-serve machine market, it appears the infrastructure will not go to waste. Reports from The Grocer suggest that Expresso Plus is poised to launch a new agreement with an alternative coffee brand to replace Pret A Manger in these machines.
The brand understood to be taking over is L'OR, a luxury coffee brand known for its 100% Arabica bean blends and mixes of Arabica and Robusta beans. Expresso Plus reportedly stated that the new deal would be a 'competitive commercial arrangement' requiring no upfront investment from partners.
In other Pret news, the chain recently expanded its food offerings with the launch of a new 'Super Plates' range. These larger, protein-packed salads, including options like Miso Salmon and Shawarma Chicken, were launched in July 2025 across over 250 shops in major UK cities such as London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
