Pret A Manger deals another blow to customers as it axes three drinks
Pret A Manger has announced that it will stop selling all smoothies, frappes and milkshakes.
The company plans to gradually remove its blended drinks and replace them with iced drinks by the summer, it is reported.
Smoothies and frappes will be available in some branches until May 29, the chain added.
A Pret spokesperson said: "We know that Pret customers are huge fans of iced coffees and drinks, so over the next few months we’ll be increasing their availability across more Pret locations with new ice machines installed across our shops.
"We will also be replacing our current range of frappes and smoothies from April, and bringing in a bigger range of iced drinks to choose from.
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The company plans to gradually remove its blended drinks and replace them with iced drinks by the summer (PA)“Once the changes are complete, iced drinks will be available in over 90% of Pret shops, so that even more of our customers can enjoy our full range of barista-prepared drinks."
The company also told the BBC: "To get shops ready for the new range, Pret is beginning to install new ice machines in its UK shops, removing blenders to make way for them.
"Smoothies and frappes will still be available in select shops until 29 May."
It comes after thousands of complaints over Pret's £25-a-month subscription service, as customers voiced their frustrations over not all the drinks being available.
Pret launched the service in September 2020 after sales in physical stores fell due to Covid lockdowns.
The monthly subscription applied to coffees, tea, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies, frappes and milkshakes, as well as extras such as syrups or additional shots.
It allows subscribers to redeem one eligible drink every 30 minutes, and have a maximum of five per day.
The chain states on its website: "With the Pret Coffee Subscription you can enjoy up to 5 freshly-prepared drinks a day for a single monthly transaction of £25.
The move comes after thousands of complaints over Pret's £25-a-month subscription service (Getty Images)"This can be any size, any milk, plus 1 add-on and can be redeemed against any drink prepared by the Barista including: organic coffee, tea, hot chocolate and iced drinks (subject to drink availability, not all drinks are sold in all shops).
"It also includes any milk alternatives where this is possible."
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But the company received around 5,000 complaints from customers over the deal, with many saying they felt "ripped off" due to the lack of cold, blended drinks.
Other subscribers complained to the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), while some took to social media.
One person tweeted: "Why am I paying a subscription for this? Why advertise cold drinks on the subscription when your branches avoid them at all costs?"
Another wrote: "Yet again third day in a row Pret no milkshakes, smoothies or cold drinks.. what’s the point of this subscription".
And a third posted: "Not sure why I pay £25 a month for a Pret subscription when no branches ever have any ice for cold drinks".
Meanwhile, staff members have reportedly complained over the high demand for smoothies, which they say take too long to make and are pricier for the company than iced drinks.
One worker said: "For the company it's much more expensive to provide smoothies - fruit juice, fruit - and it takes time to make them. There's far too much demand from subscribers."
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