Pret A Manger announces third pay rise in 12 months

Pret A Manger has announced its third pay rise in 12 months, which will see its 7,870 UK shop staff receive a 3% pay increase from 1 April.

Team members will see a pay rise from between £10.30 and £11.55 per hour to between £10.60 and £11.90 per hour, while barista pay will jump from between £10.85 and £12.50 per hour to between £11.20 and £12.85.

The company said its baristas will be among the highest paid in the industry, earning up to £14.10 per hour with a Mystery Shopper Bonus.

With the average entry level pay increasing by 15% year-on-year to above £12, Pret workers will be earning above the 2023 National Living Wage of £10.42, which is also due to come into force on 1 April.

The new National Living Wage (the minimum wage for over 23 year olds) will mark a 9.7% rise from 2022 rates at £9.50.

Pret’s April 2023 pay rise comes on top of the 5% increase that was introduced in December 2022, bringing the total rise in average base pay for Pret staff since April 2022 to 19%.

The company added that team members and baristas have access to its discounts portal, which gives workers reduced prices for food and essential items at major supermarkets, as well as free food and drink on shift.

Guy Meakin, interim managing director at Pret A Manger UK & Ireland, said: “We’re proud to be making another significant investment in our people’s success and wellbeing. Whether it’s paying above the National Minimum Wage, providing career development opportunities or leading the industry on barista pay, we’re committed to making Pret a rewarding and supportive place to work for all our teams and paying the best we can afford to.

“Our people work incredibly hard to make Pret such a well-loved place on the high street, and we wanted to thank them for their continued energy and commitment. As the cost of living continues to rise, we hope this latest increase in pay, and our expanded benefits package, goes some way in providing further support for our hardworking teams.”