Pret A Manger has reported a 17% increase in both turnover and ebitda, as the chain continues to expand in the UK.

The top 10 BB75 retailer posted sales revenue of £443m, and ebitda of £61.1m for 2012 financial year. It also opened 36 new shops - 19 of which were in the UK - over the 52-week period, taking its total estate to 320 (+10%).

A target of 50 new shops has been set for 2013, including four additional shops in Paris. Of the 1,000 jobs due to be created, 500 of these should be in the UK, said the firm.

Following previous criticism about the number of British workers it employs, the firm highlighted the launch of its fledgling National School Leaver Programme, which encourages British school leavers to work for the company.

Nine school leavers have also joined the team, with the scheme to be expanded in September this year, it said.

Clive Schlee, chief executive of Pret A Manger, said: “2012 was a strong year for Pret. We continued to invest in our core values, improving our menu, launching innovative employment schemes and building and refurbishing shops in all our markets.”

Last year also saw Pret open its first shop in Paris, and in its fourth city in the US - Boston.