British sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger has booked a goodwill impairment charge of £553 million (€472.5 million), citing an uncertain global economic environment and higher employer costs in the UK. When JAB acquired control of Pret in 2018 there was £912 million (€779.4 million) of goodwill on its balance sheet. The impairment charge meant Pret sank to an operating loss of £451.5 million (€386 million) in 2024, versus a profit of £28.3 million (€24.1 million) in 2023. It said worldwide sales in 2024 rose 10% to £1.2 billion, while core earnings, increased 36% to £97.5 million. Pret also plans to test new 'meal deal' formats to tap into Britain's growing appetite for these deals.