Pret A Manger has today revealed its new autumn menu as research finds that, after more than a year of working from home, Brits are craving greater variety in their lunches.
Research commissioned on behalf of Pret found that over half (51%) of British workers are tired of cooking in their own kitchen and two in five (46%) are craving more variety, or don’t have anything tasty to make in their kitchens (45%) at all.
After months of doing the same thing every day during lockdown, one in ten of those surveyed revealed their habits mean they eat the same lunch every day.
With nearly half of us craving more hot food (48%), the new autumn menu from Pret will be a welcome sight for many as it includes three new hot items and the return of Pret’s soup rota and the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Inspired by a Mexican favourite, Pret’s new Chicken & Chili Burrito is one of the biggest meals on the menu. It has a layer of brown rice mixed bean chilli, refried beans and is finished with British chicken breast coated with Pret’s chipotle ketchup. Topped with red peppers and melting cheddar cheese, it’s wrapped up in a kibbled rye wrap and served hot.
Alongside the burrito the autumn menu will include a Spicy Chicken Enchilada Bake which is filled with British chicken breast topped with mixed bean chilli, rolled up in a kibbled rye wrap on a bed of a spicy red sauce and covered with a layer of bechamel sauce. Finished with a sprinkling of Italian mature cheese, parsley and breadcrumbs, this spicy twist will help keep people fuller, longer.
Pairing perfectly with the newly added burrito or enchilada bake are the new Chilli, Bean & Seed Tortilla Chips. These new crunchy corn tortilla chips have added seeds and beans and are coated in a delicious chilli and lemon seasoning.
For those looking for a hot item to eat on the go or after the gym can enjoy the new vegan Meatless Meatball Protein Pot made using Meatless Farms meatballs. The protein pot combines breakfast mushrooms topped with Pret’s chunky vegan meatballs made famous in the Meatless Meatball Hot Wrap is finished with a generous portion of breakfast beans.
Alongside the hot food items in Pret’s new autumn menu, Pret is also introducing the Naked Chicken Katsu Baguette. After winning The Next Pret Sandwich social media competition over lockdown, Pret has recreated the number one pick and given it a Pret twist.
The new sandwich inspired by a recipe submitted by Blythe, a Pret customer from London, is filled with British chicken breast dressed in Pret’s Katsu sauce on a bed of creamy mayo and crunchy cucumber and a sprinkling of crispy onions to give it that crunch. Topped with pickled onions, carrot & mooli saw and fresh coriander this new sandwich gives customers more options at lunch.
Briony Raven, UK Director of Food & Coffee, said, “It’s no surprise that people have been in a bit of a rut lately with the research revealing nearly half are craving more variety and hot food.
'While we all love a classic cheese toastie or ham sandwich, it’s great to see so many people wanting to try more elaborate options too. This sounds very much like a day in our kitchens, as the teams make sure our timeless customer favourites are up to scratch, while we also look to innovate each season to excite people to try something new.
“We’re excited to be launching our new autumn menu which has a big focus on new hot food items and has inspiration from food all over the world.
'Not only have our teams worked hard to be able to add more filling, hot food for our customers to enjoy but we’re also proud to have been able to create The Next Pret Sandwich winner which was inspired by our customers and made with a Pret twist.”
The new autumn menu marks the return of everyone’s favourite seasonal Barista-made drink, the Pumpkin Spice Latte, which can be redeemed as part of The Pret Coffee Subscription.
The new range is available from shops today for eat-in, takeaway or from delivery partners (Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats).