LONDON (Reuters) – British coffee and sandwich chain Pret A  Manger has teamed up with JDE Peet’s to trial self-service coffee machines, further evolving its business model after sales were hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pret suffered because many of the 400 UK locations for its stores, which number just over 400, are situated on high streets near transport hubs or offices with reduced occupancy.

Pret is owned by JAB, founder Sinclair Beecham and owner of Pret. On Friday, the machines called “Pret Express” were introduced to convenience stores, forecourts at petrol stations, universities and healthcare facilities.

These machines can make the same teas and coffees as those offered in Pret shops.

JDE Peet’s, one of the world’s largest consumer coffee companies, will be providing the self-service technology.

“This is new territory for Pret, which will allow more people across the country to enjoy Pret’s organic coffee and tea on the go, in places where there isn’t the right space to set up a new Pret shop,” said Guy Meakin, Pret’s UK trading director.

Pret stated last month that they planned to double their size in the next five-years, even though it reported a 256.5million pound ($354.2 Million) loss for 2020.

The company also launched a subscription service that allows you to order drinks.

Pret also sells coffee products through Amazon, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Tesco (OTC). He has delivery agreements with Deliveroo and Just Eat. Eats. Pret is currently opening shops in Tesco stores.

($1 = 0.7242 pounds)