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Pret A Manger U.S. is expanding its menu offerings to include a meatless meatball wrap. It has partnered with UK-founded Meatless Farm to develop the sandwich. Sold as a hot option, the wrap represents Pret U.S’s first foray into plant-based catering. It is available at all of the chain’s U.S. locations.
The meatballs have been exclusively formulated for Pret, with garlic and herb infusions. They have been developed with traditional ‘Nonna’ meatballs in mind. Coated in marinara sauce, rolled in a seven-grain wrap and served with onions, peppers and crispy onions on top, the wrap has been designed to be a fast-paced lunch option.
Vegan food at Pret
The Meatless Meatball Wrap was launched in the U.K in 2021 and proved popular.
While Pret has offered plant-based menu items elsewhere around the world, the U.S. is new to the game. The brand has taken careful considerations, including taste, but protein counts here, too. The Meatless Meatball Wrap contains 24 grams of protein in every serving.
“We are excited to offer our first meat alternative menu item for customers who are looking to enjoy more plant-based options for health reasons, animal welfare, or helping to protect our planet,” Jorrie Bruffett, president, Pret A Manger, US said in a statement. “As more consumers continue to recognize the benefits of eating plant-based foods, this delicious menu addition and partnership with Meatless Farm will make eating more of it just a bit easier.”
Pret has previously made commitments to supporting all of its customers, regardless of dietary needs and preferences. The new wrap is considered suitable for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and curious omnivores.
“As plant-based menu items continue to grow in popularity, we are excited to work with Pret A Manger US to launch their first-ever vegan meat alternative item on their Hot menu,” Morten Toft Bech, founder of Meatless Farm said in a statement. “More consumers are increasingly aware of how meat consumption impacts the planet and this partnership allows them to enjoy fresh, high quality plant-based food that tastes amazing while helping to protect not only their health, but the environment too.”
Any Pret food items that are unsold are donated to food rescue partners at the end of each business day.
Chains go vegan
Coffee chains are becoming the Wild West of new vegan launches, with major brands vying for a piece of the action. In the U.K., this seems especially true. Earlier this year Starbucks made notable expansions to its vegan menu, if only for Veganuary. Partnering with The Vegetarian Butcher, it released a ‘Tu-NAH’ sandwich,alongside numerous sweet options. It launched a selection of plant-based drinks as well, just in time to celebrate the dropping of the plant-milk surcharge.
Caffè Nero announced its own plant-based collaboration, with THIS. Together, they developed a sausage sandwich and a chicken arrabbiata ciabatta. Both are available throughout the U.K. now, having been launched to coincide with Veganuary.
Lead image courtesy of Pret A Manger.
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