Briefs

n Sandwich chain Pret A Manger has revealed it is considering floating on the stock exchange within 18 months.

n Supermarket Morrisons is planning a £450m rebranding, starting in July, with yellow and green replacing its yellow and black corporate colours.

n Whitbread this week reported a 24.5% increase in profits, after strong performances at its Costa and Premier Travel Inn divisions. Pre-tax profits for the year to March 1 were £213m.

n Burton’s Foods, makers of Jammy Dodgers, has submitted plans for a 2,658sq m extension to its bakery in Edinburgh.

n McDonald’s has reported an 11% rise in sales to $5.4bn (£2.69bn) for the first quarter to 31 March.

n Coffee chain Caffè Nero is placed number 18 in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 list of Britain’s private firms with the fastest-growing profits. Profits have grown 77% a year from £1.6m in 2003 to £9.1m last year, and the firm plans to expand the number of British outlets from 300 to 450 by 2010.

n Juice bar chain Crussh plans to open four more outlets in the UK by the end of the year. The 16-strong snack chain also sells sushi, sandwiches and soup.

n Packaging firm Jordan Plastics, whose clients include Allied Bakeries Ireland, has increased production 50% after a £1m move to a 40,000sq ft plant.

n Waitrose managing director Steve Esom is leaving after 11 years, tipped to join Marks & Spencer. Mark Price will be the new Waitrose MD from April 30.