UK Sandwich Chain Pret A Manger to Launch in India
A firm owned by Asia's richest person struck a deal to open outlets of the British coffee and sandwich chain Pret A Manger across India.
A unit of multi-billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries will run the chain under a franchise agreement.
It marks the first venture by Reliance Brands, which also owns India's biggest retail chain, into the country's growing food and drinks industry.
The first outlet is expected to open early next year in Mumbai.
Pret A Manger, which means "ready to eat" in French, was founded in London in 1983, with the first shop opening the following year.
After the original company went into liquidation the brand was bought by college friends Sinclair Beecham and Julian Metcalfe, with their first store opening in 1986.
The brand currently has 550 outlets around the world, across nine markets including the UK, US, Europe, and Asia.