British coffee and sandwhich chain Pret a Manger is set to open its first store in Northern Ireland.
The chain which has already opened two stores in Dublin are understood to have agreed terms for a unit in Belfast City Centre as part of their expansion plans.
Founded in London in 1983, the company gets it's name from the French translation of 'ready to eat'.
Read more: Pret increases price of subscription as it relaunches as Club Pret with new benefit
Pret gained popularity with their monthly subscription service which offers customers five drinks per day for one monthly price.
It is also understood that Canadian fast food chain Mary Brown's Chicken have lease agreed a number of sites in Northern Ireland for what will be their first international locations.
Property firm CBRE said that the fast food and drive thru market remains particularly active in Northern Ireland.
However, in their latest report the firm has warned that without decisive political impetus, the Northern Ireland market will continue to face significant challenges.
CBRE NI’s Q2 2023 Report has highlighted the impact slow Governmental decision-making is having on progressing development and attracting potential occupiers and investors.
Brian Lavery, Managing Director at CBRE NI, said: “Last quarter, high hopes were pinned on the Windsor Framework to unlock investment opportunities in Northern Ireland, particularly across the commercial property sector.
"We are however still waiting for that key to turn, and the absolute need for national and local government impetus to drive development and attract potential occupiers and investors cannot be overlooked.
“The slow pace of decision-making in Northern Ireland is also impacting the Office market with below average take-up figures in the first six months (150,000 sq. ft. of lettings) of 2023.
"On the flip side of the coin, the Serviced Office sector is benefitting from this occupier hesitancy and is operating at near full capacity.”
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