Prêt à Manger to open in Hong Kong

British sandwich chain Prêt à Manger is to open 10 shops in Hong Kong by the end of next year as the first stage of a process that could see it expand across Asia.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

The first shop is expected to open in the first quarter of next year in the central financial district of Hong Kong, Prêt said.

The chain is believed to be investing around $25m (£18m) expanding into the former British colony.

Prêt's move follows last year's expansion into New York, where the chain now plans to open 30 cafes by 2003.

Earlier this year, Prêt sold a 33% stake to US hamburger giant McDonald's, which already has 180 restaurants in Hong Kong.

Prêt had been looking at its options in Asia, with Hong Kong and Tokyo both considered possible targets.

The decision to go for Hong Kong came down to the fact it was more accessible than Tokyo and had more similar eating habits, said Prêt.

"Prêt very much sees it as a gateway into Asia," added a spokeswoman for the chain. If successful, it could lead to expansion into other Far East countries.

The company is now carrying out research on how, or if, the format will need to be tweaked for the Asian market.

In the US, Prêt introduced bagels and replaced butter with cream cheese on its smoked salmon sandwich to cater for American tastes.

It has not yet decided who will lead the Far Eastern operation.

by Nic Paton