Launching today, Pret A Manger is introducing Tip-Top Hot Pots to its menu for the first time. Packed full of vibrant and flavourful ingredients, this new Pret concept provides customers with a separate “topper” so that fresh, delicate flavours can be stirred into a big, bold hot pot at the very last minute.
The new vegan Cauli & Sweet Potato Dhal Tip-Top Hot Pot will launch alongside a new vegan Apple & Almond Butter Snack Bowl and a limited-edition vegan Falafel, Avo & Chipotle Flat Bread.
Customers have been asking for more vegan options, and Pret chefs have been experimenting with plant-based ingredients and flavours to meet the challenge. The new dishes will sit alongside existing vegan favourites in regular Pret shops, such as Coconut Porridge, Butternut Squash Dhansak, Kale, Lentil & Roasted Spices Soup, Tomato Soup, bestseller Sweet Potato Falafel & Smashed Beets, Chia Pots and Dairy Free Chocolatey Coconut Bite to name just a few. Pret has a wide-range of delicious vegan options for breakfast and lunch, and snacks for on-the-go customers.
In 2015, Pret’s CEO Clive Schlee had noticed sales of Pret’s vegetarian products growing; the Beets, Squash & Feta superbowl was outselling chicken and salmon versions. Clive asked customers for their feedback on what they wanted to see next from the company – almost 10,000 people voted and Pret opened a veggie pop-up in Soho the following June. The pop-up was initially designed as a space to trial new vegetarian and vegan recipes for a month, but it became so popular that Pret decided to keep it open for the summer, before making it a permanent shop in September 2016. A second Veggie Pret opened in Shoreditch in April 2017, and a third on Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, in October 2017. In regular Pret shops, more veggie and vegan options have been introduced, and they now make up 51% of the sandwich and salad offering to meet customer demand.
In addition to new vegan items launching this January, customers who bring in a reusable cup will be able to enjoy a new 50p discount on Pret’s hot drinks. In December, Pret’s CEO Clive Schlee tweeted asking customers, “How do we encourage customers to bring reusable coffee cups to @Pret? We’re thinking of increasing the discount for bringing your own cup from 25p to 50p. Our organic filter coffee would cost just 49p. I’d love to hear your thoughts.” Clive was inundated with suggestions, ideas and feedback, and, as a result, a new discount will be introduced. Pret has also committed to sourcing a well-designed reusable cup ready to launch later in the year.
Tip-Top Hot Pots
An exciting addition to Pret’s menu, the Tip-Top Hot Pots will be available in two varieties for customers to enjoy: the vegan Cauli & Sweet Potato Dhal and the Chicken & Butternut Squash stew. Each pot comes with a separate pot of ingredients (the “Topper”) as Pret believes the best way to get fresh, delicate flavours into a big, bold hot pot is to stir them in at the very last minute. A handful of spinach, a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of toasted seeds and it’s “tip-top”.
New Vegan Additions
Cauli & Sweet Potato Dhal Hot Pot, £6.25 (vegan)
A warming, mildly spicy, coconut dhal, with chunks of roasted sweet potato, roasted turmeric cauliflower and baby plum tomatoes. Top it off with the pot of fresh spinach, toasted seeds and a squeeze of lemon.
Apple & Almond Butter Bowl, £1.99 (vegan) – New Vegan Sweet Treat
Customers have been asking for more vegan snacks. Pret has kept this recipe nice and simple: crisp, green apple wedges with a generous dollop of almond butter.
Falafel, Avo & Chipotle Flat Bread, £3.99 (vegan)
Sweet potato falafel and freshly sliced avocado with a dollop of chipotle ketchup. Topped with pickled onions, crunchy red peppers, fresh coriander and charred corn and black bean salsa. Available in shops from Thursday 4th January until Monday 5th March.
Coffee
As well as the new 50p discount on hot drinks for those who bring in a reusable cup, Pret is also celebrating 10 years of 99p organic filter coffee in January. The coffee is still organic, ethically and sustainably sourced, and costs just 99p – or 49p if customers bring in a reusable cup. Clive’s blog post is available to read here.
Please note that the Tip-Top Hot Pots will not be available in Pret transport hubs, Petit Pret shops and a handful of other Pret shops.
For full details and nutritionals, please visit www.pret.co.uk.
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