Julian Metcalfe and Sinclair Beecham opened their first store in the mid 1980s after they had spent months working in Victoria Central London without a decent lunch. Prêt now offers everything from sandwiches to sushi and has 2102 full time and 263 part time staff, 114 stores and UK sales of nearly £100m. Last year the firm sold a 33% stake to McDonald's to aid international expansion. Benefits are excellent for a catering firm. About one in 20 staff has worked there for six or more years and 51% are from an ethnic background. The firm has a positive, vibrant atmosphere, emphasising pride in creating quality food and respect for the individual. When it reached the £2m weekly sales barrier, every store was given a bottle of specially labelled champagne. There are unusual perks well suited to the young international staff and particularly good family friendly policies. Mothers to be get £20 towards maternity jeans, childcare vouchers on birth, 10 weeks at full pay and a further 10 topped up to £100 well above the statutory minimum of £60.20. On their return to work they are given health spa vouchers. Adoptive parents get four weeks of leave (fully paid after a year's service) and £100 in Baby Gap vouchers. A lifestyle project analyses staff posture, aiming to improve health and every head office employee has to work as a store team member four times a year. Everyone can take unpaid sabbaticals of up to 182 days (good for travellers) and up to £2000 is paid for introducing new staff. An employee said 'Prêt a Manager has its own unique culture. There is no them and us, just we.
