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Pret a Manger is a fast food chain based in the United Kingdom.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 Company Overview of Pret A Manger (Europe) Ltd. )〕 == History == The first Pret a Manger was opened in Hampstead, London, in 1984 by Jeffrey Hyman.〔Company Number 1763373, Pret A Manger (Hampstead) Ltd, incorporated 21 October 1983. Shareholders include Robin Wight and Peter Scott both directors of advertising agency WCRS, James Pilditch, Monty White, Lynsey de Paul Singer, Jeffrey Hyman and Valerie Hyman.〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title= The Food & Drink Innovation Network )〕 The name ''Prêt à Manger'' ((:pʁɛt‿a mɑ̃ʒe), ''ready to eat'') was coined by Hyman's sister Valerie Tomalin, based on ''prêt-à-porter'', French for "ready-to-wear" clothing. The outlet focused on gourmet, ready-to-eat food which was inspired by the Parisian ready-to-go shops called traiteurs. The store's design was inspired by steel and chrome up-market sandwich bars dotted in and around Manhattan which Hyman visited very often on food research missions. He was particularly impressed with DDL Foodshow on the Upper West Side and Zabar's on Broadway. This first store was located opposite Hampstead Underground station, had its own kitchen, and offered ready-to-heat main courses as well as the mini-quiches, filled baguettes Croque-monsieur and other ready-to-go convenience foods which have now become classics. There was also a small cafe area for customers to eat and drink at the front of the store. Hyman commissioned Mike Earl, then Art Director at Kirkwood's advertising agency,〔http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/close-up-now-quintessential-adman-kept-hand-game/194117〕 to design the now-famous logo which is much the same now as it was then (See illustration right). Horner Collis & Kirvan〔http://www.brandrepublic.com/article/194749/three-men-dog-launch-creative-agency-vinnie〕 developed the advertising and promotion campaign for poster-sites, the London Underground, local press and door-to-door leafleting. Opening in June 1984 the company traded at 58 Hampstead High Street eighteen months. After a successful year The Greater London Council erected scaffolding to repair the roof and takings dropped to below break-even point and the company went into liquidation.〔https://companycheck.co.uk/company/01763373/PRET-A-MANGER-HAMPSTEAD-LIMITED/summary〕 It was sold by company liquidator David Rubin to college friends Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe. Metcalfe later founded the Itsu chain of sushi cafes and Metcalfe's Foods); the two met while studying at the Polytechnic of Central London. Beecham and Metcalfe had little business experience. Their company claims they "created the sort of food they craved but could not find anywhere else."〔(【引用サイトリンク】title= About the Founders )〕 They opened their first branch near Victoria Station, London. In 2001, McDonald's bought a 33% non-controlling stake in the USA branch of the company, which they sold in 2008 to private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital, owners of clothing retailer Fat Face.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=McDonald's offloads Pret stake to Bridgepoint )〕 In 2011 its sales were £377 million. As of 2012, efforts were underway in London to unionise shop employees. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Pret a Manger」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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