Omg, Pret just announced its new meal deal and what’s included is a bargain

Pret is finally caving. After years of resisting the humble supermarket-style lunch deal, the bougie high street coffee chain has announced it will launch its first ever meal deal in the UK.

From Tuesday 16th September, Pret will trial its first UK meal deal across around 70 stores – here’s hoping my local is one of them.

The offer includes any bread-based sandwich, crisps and a drink, all bundled together for between £6 and £7. There’s even a breakfast version, where you can grab a coffee and croissant for £5.

Credit: Unsplash/the-blowup-CZM

Yes, on the surface, £6 might sound steep when you’re used to flashing a Tesco Clubcard and walking out with lunch for under £4. But here’s the thing: at Pret, a single sandwich already sets you back about £5 on its own. Throw in a drink and a packet of crisps and you’re normally kissing goodbye to well over a tenner. In that context, this is actually a bargain.

And it’s not just Pret that’s had to face reality. Tesco recently hiked its own meal deal to £3.85 with a Clubcard or £4.25 without. Waitrose’s “food to go” is now around £5, while Sainsbury’s and Co-op hover closer to £3.50 – though you’ll be getting smaller portions and nowhere near the same quality of sandwich. Tesco’s premium range, which comes in at £6, is the only real competitor.

Pret’s move comes after the company admitted they’ve been hit by the cost of living crisis. A meal deal is a clever way to tempt back city workers and students who might otherwise choose the supermarket fridges.

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Speaking to This Is Money, a spokesperson for Pret said: “We’re going to test out the price points. The difference with the Pret meal to others – they’re buying a product that’s been made hundreds of miles away, many days ago.

“Our products have been made meters away, minutes ago. So, the freshness of our ingredients is unparalleled to those others, offering great value for money.”

So, while Pret’s trial deal isn’t going to win any awards for being the cheapest lunch out there, it’s definitely decent value if you’re already in the Pret habit. £6 for a freshly made baguette, posh crisps and a drink? Compared to what you’d normally pay, that’s actually not bad at all.

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Featured image credit: Shutterstock/alvarobueno