Get All Access for $5/mo

Pret a Manger to Pay Over $1 Million After Employee Was Locked In Freezer 'Fearing For Her Life' The accident happened last month at the Victoria Coach Station location of the chain in London.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Getty Images
Customers queue to enter a Pret A Manager Ltd. sandwich shop in London, U.K.

Now that's just cold!

Coffee and fast-casual chain Pret a Manger has been fined over $1 million (800.000 euros) after an employee was accidentally trapped inside a walk-in freezer for two and a half hours.

The incident occurred on July 29 at the Victoria Coach Station stop in London. The woman was stuck in the -18-degree freezer while only wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

Related: What Pret a Manger's Sandwich Sales Can Tell Us About Wall Street's Work-From-Home Habits

"The worker was eventually found by a colleague, in a state of distress and believing she was going to die," the City of Westminster said in a press release. "She was taken to hospital where she was treated for suspected hypothermia."

According to Insider, the employee was released from the hospital later that day and is still working for the company.

The employee, who is remaining anonymous, reportedly tried to break up a box of chocolate croissants and put it over the ventilator to stop more cold air from flowing in but began losing feeling in her limbs due to the cold.

Upon investigation, authorities found that in January 2020, a similar incident occurred when another employee was trapped in the freezer and couldn't escape because the internal unlock button wasn't functioning.

Related: Subway Debuts Cadbury Chocolate Egg Sandwich in the U.K.

"We are incredibly sorry for our colleague's experience and understand how distressing this must have been," a spokesperson for Pret told Insider. "We have carried out a full review and have worked with the manufacturer to develop a solution to stop this from happening again. Following the incident, we have revisited all our existing systems and where appropriate, enhanced these processes, and have cooperated fully with Westminster City Council's investigation."

The chain pleaded guilty and must pay the City of Westminster in full within 28 days.

Pret a Manger did not immediately respond to Entrepreneur's request for comment.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Process

How CEOs Can Take Control of Their Emails and Achieve Inbox Zero

Although there are many methodologies that leaders can use to manage their emails effectively, a consistent and thought-through process is the most effective way to systemize and respond to emails and is a step of stewardship for the effective leader.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.