As Pret A Manger opened new cafés across the East Coast, the team looked for materials that felt honest – something to bring warmth and texture to fast-paced, urban interiors. They selected Granbury Plank from WoodCo: a smoked European oak used as interior wall paneling across multiple New York locations.
Granbury is an engineered oak over a Baltic birch core, originally developed as flooring but equally effective on vertical surfaces. We often guide clients through this kind of adaptation, helping them use our products in ways that suit both the design and the space. Each board is hand-beveled and UV oiled, giving it a refined, tactile finish that holds up under daily use while preserving the natural character of the wood.
Bringing brand to life
Founded in 1986 in London, Pret A Manger – French for “ready to eat” – is anything but a typical sandwich or coffee shop. Known for using fresh, organic ingredients and donating unsold food at the end of each day, the brand carries its values through every part of the experience, from menu to material selection.
As the company expanded to the U.S. in the early 2000s, the need for natural finishes that could reflect their ethos became more important than ever.
When Pret began opening new East Coast locations, we partnered with the brand to introduce Granbury Plank – a smoked European oak already used in their UK shops, now sourced and supplied in the U.S. by WoodCo.
Granbury delivers a rich tone without visual noise. Its UV oil finish holds up to daily wear while still letting the natural grain shine through. Used as wood wall paneling throughout Pret’s cafés, it brings structure and consistency to fast-moving spaces.
The wood paneling complements the brand’s bold typography, menu signage, and messaging, becoming part of the overall storytelling without competing for attention.
Versatile wood wall panelling
Granbury Plank was originally developed as engineered flooring, but like all WoodCo floors, it’s versatile enough for vertical installation. In Pret’s interiors, it frames signage and seating areas, helping to organize the space while reinforcing the brand’s commitment to natural materials.
Granbury isn’t uniform, and that’s intentional. The variation in tone and grain gives each location a slightly different feel while keeping the overall identity consistent. It’s warm, approachable, and grounded – supporting the brand’s voice without competing with it.
Across multiple New York-area locations, the wood serves as a backdrop for key messaging. Core brand messaging about sourcing, sustainability, and ingredients is set directly onto the wooden wall paneling, letting the material become part of the communication. The natural texture of the oak plays subtly through each letter, adding visual depth without distraction.
Built to perform
Beneath its surface, Granbury is engineered for the real world. The Baltic birch core adds dimensional stability, making it ideal for demanding environments like Pret’s high-volume cafés. Whether exposed to humidity, constant cleaning, or shifting interior light, the wood holds its tone and form over time.
The UV oil finish offers lasting protection while still allowing the wood to breathe and age naturally – a finish that stands up to the rhythm of daily service.
A collaborative process
From early specification through to final installation, we worked closely with Pret’s U.S. design and construction teams to ensure the product delivered both functionally and aesthetically.
Samples were reviewed under different lighting conditions to ensure the tone felt consistent across locations. Deliveries were coordinated to align with build schedules, keeping the process smooth across multiple sites.
We’ve since supplied Granbury Plank for several locations in New York, such as the World Trade Center and Penn Station.
Working with WoodCo
From fast-moving cafés to brand-led commercial interiors, WoodCo partners with teams who value natural materials, lasting performance, and design that supports the experience.
If you’re working on a space that needs architectural wood wall paneling – with the texture, tone, and durability to match – reach out to our team. We’ll provide samples, technical insight, and product guidance to support your project from concept to install.