UK-based fast food and coffee chain Pret A Manger, which was set to open its first branch in Israel under a franchise agreement signed with Israeli businessman and owner of the Fox clothing brand Harel Wiesel, has decided to cancel the licensing with the Israeli group due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
The Fox Group is now attempting to reject the company's claims regarding the existence of a "force majeure" that grants it the right to cancel the agreement and intends to try to oppose the chain.
It was recently reported that Wiesel, the Israeli franchisee of Pret a Manger, planned to open the first branch of the British food chain in Tel Aviv Port. It was initially estimated that the port branch would open by the end of 2024.
It was also reported shortly following the start of the war that heavy pressure was placed on the chain's management in the UK by pro-Palestinian groups to step back from the move after threatening a boycott.
In the tender, Fox committed to establishing 40 branches across the country in the coming years with an investment of 36 million shekels. Wiesel's entry into the restaurant industry marks a new field for him and is intended to "diversify risks" and expand business ventures in order to diversify the group’s business portfolio.
The chain is well known to Israelis living in London, where branches can be found on nearly every street corner. The chain specializes in refrigerated packaged sandwiches, salads, coffee and pastries made from fresh and natural ingredients, all offered at reasonable prices and mainly designed for takeaway. It operates 446 branches across the UK and another 150 branches worldwide.