Pret A Manger plans to shut six more shops and cut around another 400 jobs in the face of the resurgent coronavirus pandemic.
The recovery of the coffee and sandwich chain has been hampered by recently tightened COVID-19 restrictions and rising case numbers.
In August, the company axed 2,800 roles as part of a shake-up which saw it close 30 sites.
It said it had seen “consistent sales growth” in the four months since reopening outlets but this had “slowed since the end of September”.
Clare Clough, Pret’s UK managing director, said: “It’s absolutely right that we take steps to stop the spread of the virus and tackle the new wave of infections.
“Sadly, the result of the rise in infections and the necessary shift in public health guidance mean that our recovery has slowed.
“We’ve said all along that it’s up to Pret to decide our own future and that we must adapt to the new situation we find ourselves in.
“That’s why we have to make these further changes as we continue to transform our business model and prepare for the six months ahead.
“We are doing everything we can to support our team members and to prevent further job losses at Pret.”