Former CEO of fast food-giant restaurant brands has been appointed Chairman of Pret a Manger.
José Cil, who previously led the brands, including Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs, played a key role in increasing RBI sales to more than £ 30 billion.
Under his leadership, the company grew to maintain 30,000 restaurants in over 100 countries.
Cil follows Konrad Meyer as chairman when Meyer was able to lead the board of Prete A Manger.
Meyer played a key role in the acquisition of Pret’s global investment firm JAB in 2018 and has since served as a Pret Board, including as a temporary CFO in 2020.
Under the leadership of the CIL, Pret a Manger aims to speed up its international growth and strengthen partnerships with local franchising providers.
Over the past five years, the Sandwich giant has expanded his global presence to 21 countries, and international sales are now a quarter of the total Pret.
He is supported by experienced industrial experts Elias Diaz SESE, founder of Popeyes UK, former leader of the Domino’s Pizza Group, former senior leader of Kraft Heinz, and RBI brands Tim Hortons and Burger King, and Andre Molinari, former Global Development and Former RBO Director of International Development.
Cil also takes on a broader role as chairman of the JAB restaurant platform, covering brands such as Panera Bread, Einstein Bros Bagels, Caribou and Espresso House.
Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger, said: “With José’s extensive experience of restaurants and franchise, Pret’s really successful, fast-growing global business plays a valuable role.
“I look forward to working with José to help us deepen our relationships with our franchise partners and promote sustainable profitable growth. I also want to thank Konrad for his exceptional support in the last seven years and continue to appreciate his guidance as a continuing PET board.”
Cil added, “I have a huge amount of admiration for Pret a Manger and I believe we have just scratched the surface when it comes to real Pret’s real potential. Elias and Andre are two extraordinary leaders who bring to the government with a huge value, and I want to thank the Konrad for what it is best.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with a bet and a larger management team to double the simple, winning recipe of Pre’s: Delicious, recently made food and coffee offered by friendly, very functional teams in stores and restaurants around the world.”
Pret a Manger opened the first store in London in 1986 and has since expanded to 700 locations worldwide and covers the market from Hong Kong to Qatar.
