Pret

Abernathy MacGregor is handling JAB Holding Co.'s $2B acquisition of Pret A Manger, the London-based sandwich shop chain, from Bridgepoint private equity firm.

Germany's JAB has controlling stakes in Jacobs Douwe Egberts, the world's No. 1 coffee company; Keurig Green Mountain/Dr Pepper Snapple; Peet's Coffee & Tea, Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Pret, which sells freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and wraps, via 530 locations in the UK, US, France and China generated $1.2B in sales last year.

CEO Clive Schlee called the JAB announcement a "day of celebration at Pret," recognizing the hard work of its teams throughout the world. Each of Pret's 12K employees will receive a bonus of about $1,200 when the JAB takeover closes during the summer.

The Financial Times reports the Pret deal bolsters deal-hungry JAB's challenge to Nestle in the global coffee-related market.

Abernathy MacGregor's Tom Johnson and Pat Tucker handle JAB Holding.

France's Havas owns Abernathy MacGregor.