Pret A Manger is to open multiple sites in Hong Kong after it first overseas launch in New York last summer.

Seven outlets are planned by the end of 2002 in Hong Kong's Central District. The sites will follow the Pret blueprint serving freshly made sandwiches in an energetic environment.

The company is also planning a roll-out in New York after the success of the Broad Street site, with 30 planned for the next two years.

Launched in 1986, the company sold 25 million sandwiches across its 110 UK shops last year and was voted 10th in the Sunday Times best companies to work for in the UK. Six months ago McDonald's bought a 33 per cent stake in the group.