Behind every high-quality brand is a team that embodies its values, and Pret A Manger South Africa is no exception. To ensure an authentic Pret experience, a dedicated South African team embarked on an intensive six-week training program in Hong Kong, where they immersed themselves in the brand’s operations.
The training took place ahead of last week’s opening of the first African and South African Pret A Manager shop, in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
A carefully selected group of individuals, including General Managers, Assistant Managers, Team Leaders, Baristas, and Chefs, spent time in Pret’s core Hong Kong shops, working alongside seasoned Pret professionals to master everything from kitchen operations and food preparation to Barista skills and shop management. They learned not only how to craft the perfect coffee or assemble a signature Pret sandwich but also how to create the warm, welcoming customer experience that the brand is known for.
For Hamza Farooqui, CEO of the Millat Group and responsible for bringing the brand to South Africa this investment in training was non-negotiable. “At Pret, we don’t just serve food—we create experiences. To bring the magic of Pret to South Africa, we needed our team to train with the best, learning firsthand what it takes to maintain the highest standards in service and quality,” he explains.
During their time in Hong Kong, the South African team honed their Barista skills, learned the intricacies of Pret’s freshly made menu, and gained leadership insights that will help them seamlessly run the new shop in Johannesburg.
More than just a training exercise, this experience served as an initiation into the Pret culture, ensuring that from day one, customers in South Africa will enjoy the same exceptional service, quality, and efficiency that have made Pret a global success.
Pret’s MD for Asia, Eira Jarvis, expressed her satisfaction following the conclusion of the training program.
“At Pret, our passionate people are at the heart of everything we do. As our founder said: you can’t hire someone who can make sandwiches and teach them to be passionate, so we hire passionate people and teach them to make sandwiches. This intensive programme in Hong Kong was about more than just learning the technical skills; it was about immersing our South African team in the Pret culture, ensuring they return with the confidence and expertise to deliver an authentic Pret experience. We enjoyed working with the so much and are incredibly proud of their dedication. We can’t wait for South African customers to experience the warmth, energy, and quality that make Pret so special,” said Jarvis.
With the team now back on home soil and ready to implement what they have learned; the stage is set for them to showcase their skills and not only introduce South Africans to a globally loved brand, but also raise the bar for café culture in the country.
