McDonald's pulls out of Pret in Japan

Sandwich bar chain Pret A Manger is to go it alone in Japan after its partner, McDonald's Japan, announced it is to sever ties with the company.

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McDonald's Japan said that it was necessary for it to focus on its core business and withdraw from its joint venture with Pret.

A spokeswoman for Pret said that it would be "business as usual" for Japan's 11 sandwich bars and that there were no plans to close any operations.

The company's main focus, however, is to be on its UK business.

She added that "aggressive expansion" overseas was the basis for the disagreement between founder Julian Metcalfe and former directors earlier this year.

by Christina Golding

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