U.S. firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has taken the lead mandate advising Pret a Manger on its takeover of rival sandwich chain EAT.

The businesses agreed a deal today (May 22), after it emerged last week that Pret was looking to acquire EAT. In a statement issued earlier, Pret said it plans to convert as many EAT shops as possible into its vegetarian outlets – known as 'Veggie Prets'.