Prêt à Manger "not for sale"

Sandwich shop chain Prêt à Manger has played down suggestions that it could be bought by burger giant McDonald's.

"We did have an approach from McDonald's, like we have had approaches from many big organisations. We're a very successful company," said a spokeswoman.

"But we are not for sale. We value our independence and we can fund our expansion internally at the moment."

UK newspaper Sunday Business reported this week that McDonald's was considering making an £80m offer for Prêt a Manger. The burger chain does not comment on "speculation".

But such a buy would be in line with McDonald's recent diversification. In March last year it bought UK coffee shop chain Aroma for about £10m and in the USA it acquired pizza chain Donatos.

Meanwhile, Prêt à Manger has signed a deal to open five sandwich bars at the Earls Court and Olympia exhibition centres in London. Catering at the centres, which have new owners, is being overhauled.