As the protests against Pret A Manger continue on their broken commitment to stop selling “frankenchickens” by 2026 (fast growing chickens that are raised from birth to slaughter within 35 days, suffering under their weight etc.), I have already written two posts about the brilliant campaign:
- Of Course Pret Break Their Promises and
- Pret Profit Loss in the Millions due to the campaign.
Instead of Pret eating humble pie, and at least pretend to care like they normally do, they double down by head office staff mocking the animal welfare protest.
On 13th October 2026 Anima.org.uk, AnimalEquality.org and other animal welfare organisations, plus many boycotting Pret customers marched from Trafalgar Square to Pret’s Victoria head office to deliver over 100,000 signatures from Pret customers, campaigners. The CEO of Anima (UK) Conner Jackson also delivered and read an open letter signed by 9 animal welfare organisations.
Please zoom into the letter:
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Please see videos below. I made the mistake to video while simultaneously handing out leaflets. If I video any campaign again, I’ll stick to the videoing. The campaigners and customers had all hands on deck to carry the 400 metre roll of 100K signatures to Pret’s HQ. And my care for animals had me hand out leaflets to not go to waste on passer-by folks.
The next morning on 14th October a smaller group from Animal Equality went to Pret’s HQ again, but before 9am to catch office workers coming in.
After a while of the protests, I caught a man up in the window where Pret’s HQ floor is, wearing a chicken costume, dancing around mocking the protest. My camera was switched off as I tried to preserve battery power going from my camcorder to my phone recording back and forth. I quickly grabbed the attention of the professional photographer who was busy taking photos of the protesters.
I was too late filming the dancing chicken clown, and just got the last bit of him walking off. But the photographer got a brilliant picture. I hope this will reach the big news outlets like The Times, Guardian etc. It’s been circulating on social media and smaller news and animal welfare organisations.
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From The Grocer, UKNIP, Conscious Spend
Text, quote: »A man in a chicken costume punched the air from a first-floor window whileotherslaughed beside asign reading “Pret have the best chicken sandwich in the city.” Nobody from Pret came down to talk, protesters say.« End of quote.
The following post on Facebook gives true words, quote:
»This is so sad. Grown up men mocking real animal suffering. Don’t support these clowns. Boycott Pret A Manger.«
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Unfortunately I don’t know any of the lads in the photo, so I can’t point anyone out. All the HQ staff who were involved in my ordeal are gone, either they left or were made redundant, especially during the Pandemic. But even then, it is clear how toxic Pret are, no matter who is new or who is longtime staff. Pret are Pret. The facade is down since a while now.
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From Linkedin Anima’s post, quote:
»Huge well done. Seeing campaigners mocked by Pret staff yesterday made me all the more grateful for the people who keep showing up for animals, even when it’s difficult« End of quote.
When I filmed, handed out leaflets and spoke to people on pavements as well as campaigners, I did not out myself as expret.org as this is about the animals not my grievances with Pret, but here I need to point out that more and more people finally realise how truly appalling Pret are.
So, needless to say, welcome to Pret A Manger, their TOXIC head office, the heart of Pret that is THE problem, not the worn-out low-wage staff in shops. I had many dealing with staff from HQ including HR and former CEO Clive Schlee who is now the CEO of itsu, but remains quiet in the background after being shamed for how he dealt with customer deaths. I have never dealt with any more vile and toxic working people in my life, in the 3 countries that I lived in. I have worked in many jobs since I was 16 years old. And it is good to see finally people waking up.
Also important to point out that current Pret CEO Pano Christou was Clive Schlee’s right-hand-man as UK Managing Director and then COO when two customers died and multiple people got injured. Pano is AS bad, but he has his head in the sand while Clive Schlee was the Ronald McDonald Clown of Pret, the face and slogan speaker to fool the public.
I was VERY impressed how well everything was organised by several campaign organisations. For the 13th Oct. march there were ONLY 2 police officers accompanying hundreds of protesters! It was peaceful, even while loud, but respectful and well organised. Hats off!
Please research on “frankenchicken” and also look deeper into Pret, how despicable they truly are behind the happy PR facade.
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The HQ staff mocking the protest is shocking, but not a surprise to me. I don’t think, especially after bullying me while I was bereaved, ignoring customer deaths and now mocking animal welfare campaigners, there is anyway Pret can stoop any lower.
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My 3-Part videos of the march and the next morning at HQ again. The videos will keep playing to the next in line within the playlist:
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I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. Schlee has been appointed CEO of itsu in 2024 by Julian Metcalfe who gave him the CEO spot at Pret many years ago.
I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post.
An incomplete list on what other Pret staff say about Pret’s bullying environment: Caught in the Act Bullying at Pret and What shop MANAGERS & HQ staff say about Pret incl. CEO Pano Christou.
I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review as well as mentioned by the BBC.
Please also see the MEDIA page for more on my work with the press.
NEW LinkTree.
Thank you for reading/listening.
©2017 – Present: expret.org
A recent Interview on a Grief Podcast based in Seattle, WA, USA:
(Please be aware if the player shows 0:00 and 0:00 on both sides, just press play anyway)
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