Pret A Manger gives away free food at Boston stores

By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff

British sandwich chain Pret A Manger is giving away free food at its first two Boston stores that are opening in the next few days. Staff is handing out free food Wednesday and Thursday at the Financial District location at 185 Franklin St. The Back Bay shop, at 507 Boylston St., will be giving out free food on Thursday and Friday starting at noon.

Pret A Manger, founded in London in 1986, focuses on fresh, natural food. The chain, which already has restaurants in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., is looking at dozens of locations around the Boston area, according to city officials.

“Since the doors opened in our first shop, the principle that fresh, natural ingredients are both better tasting and better for you has been a basic tenet of the Pret philosophy,” Martin Bates, president of Pret A Manger US, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be bringing that philosophy to the City of Boston. We couldn’t think of a better backdrop to mark the milestone of our 5oth US opening, and we look forward to delivering delicious, high-quality food to this great city.”