Eat (restaurant)

Eat

File:EAT logo.svg
Company type	Private
Founded	1996
Founder	Niall & Faith MacArthur
Headquarters	London , UK
Number of locations	2 (France/Spain) Previously 90 (UK)
Revenue	(2012) £100m
Owner	Pret a Manger
Parent	Eat 2008 Limited
Website	eat.co.uk
Footnotes / references Registration No. 06522686

Eat (branded as EAT.) was a sandwich chain established in 1996 by Niall and Faith MacArthur and subsequently acquired by Pret a Manger. Prior to its closure in March 2020, it operated 95 outlets across the UK, with 75 located in London.

Foundation

The inaugural store launched in October 1996 on Villiers Street, London, close to Charing Cross railway station. Founded by Niall and Faith MacArthur, Eat specialized in freshly prepared food items akin to those sold by Pret a Manger, but utilized a centralized production model. The interior concept was designed by David Collins, renowned for his work on Café Rouge.

Ownership history

Initially owned by Penta Capital from August 2005, the company changed hands to private equity firm Lyceum Capital (later renamed Horizon Capital) in March 2011. Between 2008 and 2012, annual revenue increased from £68 million to around £100 million, with profits reaching £2.7 million in 2012. That November, Eat unveiled a flagship store on the Strand, London, with an investment of £1 million.

The brand expanded internationally through franchise partnerships in France and Spain.

In May 2019, following intensified market competition and a loss of £17 million the prior year, Pret a Manger acquired Eat. Pret intended to utilize Eat’s premises to grow its Veggie Pret concept, responding to the growing consumer interest in vegetarian and vegan offerings.

On 23 March 2020, it was declared that all remaining UK Eat locations—approximately 90—would cease operations permanently.

Philanthropy

Eat contributed surplus food products to charitable organizations and shelters.

See also

• Starbucks
• Pret a Manger
• Caffè Nero