Pret A Manger pulls out of plans to open in Israel

Pret A Manger has cancelled plans to open dozens of stores across Israel after pro-Palestinian campaigners threatened a boycott.

The British sandwich shop was set to open 40 stores in Israel by 2033, as part of a 10-year franchise deal with local partners, Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group.

However, in a statement to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on 31 May, Fox Group said Pret A Manger had activated a "force majeure" clause, which allows a party to negate contractual obligations due to extreme and unforeseeable circumstances.

"We have taken the difficult decision to end our current agreement with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group," a Pret A Manger spokesperson told World Coffee Portal.

"We tried to delay this decision for as long as possible, but the significant ongoing travel restrictions have meant that our teams have not been able to conduct the checks and training needed to set up Pret in a new market."

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