Speaking to the Sunday Times, Christou said that the drive-thru will likely be operated by a franchise partner at a motorway services and is due to open in the first three months of 2026. A handful of other drive-thru locations are also said to be in the works.
The coffee and sandwich chain has so far been slow to embrace the format, which is hugely popular in the US, compared to some of its rivals. Starbucks opened its first drive-thru in Cardiff in 2008 and Costa followed three years later with a drive-thru in 2011. Both brands have since expanded across the UK with the format.
More recently, Leon opened its first drive through in 2021 and Caffe Nero launched its first drive-thru last spring at Stansted Airport. Described as a prototype store, the format was slated to become a template for further drive-thrus for the coffee house brand
The Pret boss also told the paper that he was targeting 1,500 stores in the UK - it currently operates around 500 - and that the company was leaning towards travel locations for its expansion. The company opened its first motorway services site in 2018 and will have reached 60 by the end of this year.
Another 30 roadside sites will be rolled out next year, according to Christou, who told the paper there was potential for the brand to have 300 to 400 travel locations, including drive-thrus.
Pret also recently trialled a new shop format under regional expansion plans to target a broader customer base.
The new sites in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, and Maidenhead will become blueprints for future stores in towns and smaller cities outside of London and forms part of the business’ strategy to reach new customers.