London-based sandwich chain Pret a Manger has nearly vanished from Southern California. Despite a 2022 plan to open dozens of shops, only one location remains active at LAX.
The 40-Store Ambition that Shrank to One
In 2022, Pret a Manger entered a partnership with Dallas Holdings, a food and beverage brand operator, with the goal of establishing roughly 40 new locations across Southern California. This move was intended to aggressively scale the brand's franchise business in the United States. However, according to the report, the expansion failed to gain traction, leaving the chain with a footprint that has almost entirely disappeared from the region.
Currently, the only surviving outpost is located inside the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. notably, this specific location is not managed by Dallas Holdings, but is instead operated by the airport concessions company ASUR Airports. This shift suggests a decoupling from the original franchise strategy that fueled the initial push into the California market.
From Westwood to the Ghost Sando Shop
The retreat follows a brief period of visibility where Pret a Manger opened several high-profile storefronts. The chain established a presence in Westwood near UCLA in 2024, and subsequently opened locations in Studio City and inside the Westfield Century City mall. These sites were meant to anchor the brand's presence in affluent, high-traffic Los Angeles neighborhoods.
The speed of the exit is highlighted by the repurposing of its real estate. One former Pret a Manger site has already been taken over by Ghost Sando Shop, a growing Los Angeles brand known for using Dutch crunch bread. This transition from a global corporate chain to a local specialty brand underscores the struggle Pret a Manger faced in competing with regional favorites.
The New York City Contrast and Global Scale
The failure in Southern California stands in stark contrast to the brand's performance in other markets. As the source reported, Pret a Manger maintains a strong presence in New York City with more than 40 locations, many of which have been operational for several years. This suggests that while the "grab-and-go" model resonates in the dense, fast-paced environment of the East Coast, it failed to capture the same energy in the West.
On a global scale, Pret a Manger remains a powerhouse in the lunch market. The company's website indicates it operates over 400 loccatons worldwide, spanning the UK, USA, Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai. The brand continues to refresh its offerings, with a July 2026 menu featuring staples like almond croissants and berries and cherries smoothies.
The $8.50 Cappuccino and a 3-Star Yelp Rating
Market fit may have been hampered by pricing and local perception. At the remaining LAX location, a large organic coffee is priced at approximately $7, while a large cappuccino costs about $8.50. For many Southern California residents, these price points, combined with the brand's identity, meant that Pret a Manger was never viewed as a primary lunch destination.
Customer sentiment reflects this lukewarm reception. The LAX location currently holds a 3-star rating on Yelp, suggesting that even in its sole remaining stronghold, the brand is struggling to achieve excellence. This lack of local enthusiasm likely contributed to the collapse of the broader 40-store vision.
The Silence of Dallas Holdings
Several critical questions remain regarding the collapse of the partnership. It is unclear why the agreement with Dallas Holdings disintegrated so completely or what specific financial or operational failures led to the closure of the Westwood and Studio City shops. The source does not provide a statement from Dallas Holdings or corporate representatives from Pret a Manger regarding the retreat.
Furthermore, it remains unknown if Pret a Manger intends to attempt another entry into the California market under a different model or if the Tom Bradley International Terminal location is merely a legacy contract that will eventually expire. For now, the brand's presence in the region is reduced to a single airport kiosk.
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