Sandwich chain abandons franchise deal – doesn’t mention boycott campaign but activates ‘force majeure’ clause
Sandwich shop chain Pret a Manger has abandoned its plan to open forty stores in Israel, after a boycott
stores across Israel after a boycott campaign was threatened by pro-Palestine groups.
The stores were to be opened under a franchise deal with two Israeli firms, but the company has told the Tel Aviv stock exchange that it was activating a ‘force majeure’ provision in the contract allowing it to cancel the deal because of extreme unexpected circumstances. A public comment by the firm does not mention the boycott campaign and instead blames the decision on ‘travel restrictions’:
We have taken the difficult decision to end our current agreement with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group. We tried to delay this decision for as long as
possible, but the significant ongoing travel restrictions have meant that our teams have not been able to conduct the checks and training needed to set up Pret in a new market.
However, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has claimed the win after its campaign for a boycott if the firm did not divest its Israeli interests. A group tweeted:
This decision sends a message to all companies – if you provide support for Israel’s apartheid and genocide against Palestinians. you will face the strength of our movement who will boycott your products and protest at your stores.
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