Matcha mayhem: Blank Street eyes $100m expansion Retail Blank Street coffee is reportedly in early talks to raise at least $100m in new funding as it eyes further expansion. The cafe chain, which has more than 50 shops in the UK, is known for its matcha drinks and has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2020. The business operates dozens of locations [...]
Tesco beats Clubcard copycats to claim loyalty scheme crown Retail Tesco’s beloved Clubcard has triumphed against rivals Sainsbury’s and Greggs to be named the country’s most valued loyalty scheme. The supermarket giant’s Clubcard is the UK’s most effective, according to an index by software firm HyperFinity which polled Brits on the value, customer satisfaction and rewards offered by loyalty schemes at more than 50 retailers. [...]
I’ve been speaking to CEOs all year – this is what they really think Business After spending a year interviewing some of the UK’s top business leaders, a number of themes have emerged which paint a concerning picture of their confidence in this country’s future prospects – but there is also hope. In 25 episodes of City AM‘s Boardroom Uncovered podcast series in 2025, a large number of the CEOs [...]
Square Mile darling Farmer J bags $23m funding to take on New York October 7, 2025 London’s fast-casual darling Farmer J is heading across the pond after securing a $23m (£17.5m) funding round to launch its first New York flagship later this year, City AM can reveal. The investment, led by existing backer Beringea and joined by a new global hospitality investor, will also fuel three additional London openings before year-end, [...]
Pret A Manger ‘being punished for focusing on UK’ September 15, 2025 Pret A Manger is being punished for focusing on the UK and this is a “disaster for domestic growth”, according to the chief executive of drinking chocolate chain Knoops. Writing on LinkedIn, William Gordon-Harris said “the sad fact is for UK domestic growth is that so many UK founded businesses focus their growth after launch [...]
The Capitalist: slim pickings at Mansion House July 17, 2025 A slither of salmon at Mansion House, protein-packed ‘Super Plates’ at Pret and a self-appreciating AI. Catch up with all the latest gossip from the Square Mile with The Capitalist The Capitalist rubbed shoulders with the City’s great and good at Mansion House on Tuesday, where a decidedly upbeat Rachel Reeves told the assembled financiers [...]
Will Pret a Manger’s IPO be a tasty treat for the City? June 12, 2025 There are few better ways to start the morning than with a bacon sandwich. Outside City AM‘s offices on Cheapside, a coterie of cafes and sandwich shops open at 6am to sate City workers’ cravings for the greasy, umami-rich bap. There is often a line stretching out the door at Greggs, which charges £3 for [...]
Boardroom Uncovered: How work from home policies have changed business June 10, 2025 Pret A Manger UK managing director, Clare Clough, said work from home patterns are influencing where the business opens new stores.
How WFH is influencing where Pret A Manger will open new stores June 10, 2025 The move to working from home post-pandemic is having an impact on where Pret A Manger will open new stores, its UK boss has said.
Pret owners in discussions for IPO or possible sale June 6, 2025 Pret’s parent company JAB Holding has engaged advisors to explore options for the sandwich chain, which include a potential sale or stock market float. Luxembourg-based JAB, which bought Pret for £1.5bn in 2018, told the Financial Times that it was not “currently” considering a sale, but added: “As we move closer to a potential IPO, [...]