La Cimbali’s S60 fully- automatic coffee machine can deliver up to 600 cups of espresso per day | Photo credit: Jaime Rodriguez

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La Cimbali has created a customised automatic espresso machine for Pret A Manger as the coffee and food-to-go chain seeks to ramp up its Coffee Subscription service.

La Cimbali’s S60 fully- automatic coffee machine can deliver up to 600 cups of espresso per day, with bespoke refinements including additional user controls to optimise the workflow and enhanced steam wand function to texture milk at speed.  
 
According to Cimbali UK, the suite of new machines will be installed at Pret’s busiest stores, with further roll-outs planned for regional outlets in Oxford and Birmingham.
 
“The Cimbali R&D team became immersed in the Pret business model in order to really understand the challenges of delivering quality coffee in a fast-moving environment. This collaborative approach has shaped many S60 design refinements that help achieve excellence across the hot drinks range, which is critical for Pret, the nation’s best-loved food to go retailer, said Daniel Clarke, Commercial Director UK & Ireland, La Cimbali.

“Our customers expect great quality coffee so consistency is key for us across our estate which is why we look forward to rolling out The S60 to more shops,” said Guy Meakin UK Trading Director, Pret A Manger.

Pret’s Coffee Subscription is a monthly subscription programme giving subscribers five barista-made organic coffees, smoothies, frappes or teas a day for £20 ($27) a month.
 
The offer has, however, faced criticism from some customers who complained that Pret stores are frequently out of stock of ingredients to make requested drinks or have been told that certain beverages are not included in the deal.
 
Those complaints prompted the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to send Pret an ‘advice notice’ to review a subscription advertisement stating, “If our baristas brew it, blend it or steam it, you can have it!”
 
Founded in London in 1986, Pret operates nearly 600 shops in 11 countries, including around 400 in the UK. The chain was acquired by Luxembourg-based JAB Holdings, which also controls Peet’s Coffee and Panera Bread, for around $2bn in May 2018.