High street icon to open 100 new stores this year

Greggs has announced its plans to open up over 100 new locations by the end of this year, after opening 34 new stores already in 2026. This is a part of a massive expansion plan to open up 800 new locations in the long term.

The bakery chain revealed that it plans to open between 100 and 110 stores this calendar year, after scaling back its plans for new store openings. It lowered the target from 120 stores. It also announced plans to trial 10 new Greggs Express shops, with self-service food and drinks.

These Greggs Express locations will be round within petrol stations, with the 10 spots expected to be up and running by the end of this year. The brands operated 2,773 shops at the end of June 2026.

With 800 new locations planned for the long term, this would increase the chain’s estate to 3,500 across the UK. Over half of the company’s new store openings in the first half of 2026 were located in sites such as petrol forecourts, supermarkets, retail parks, hospitals and university campuses.

The first half this year also saw the chain’s first international opening in Tenerife South Airport, with new franchise partner Lagardère Travel Retail. According to This Is Money, Greggs plan on opening more spots in “major transport hubs”.

Chief executive Roisin Currie said the bakery chain is remaining focused on its plans to open more shops, launching more convenient ways for people to buy food. Greggs explained that its new summer menu helped to draw in new customers, with new products such as a blueberry matcha iced latte.

The chain also launched a range of new salads, just before the UK heatwave began. Currie said: “The volatility of the Middle East and the impact on energy prices probably plays into what may happen towards the back end of this year and into 2027.”

However, the chief executive confirmed that Greggs has no further price increases planned, after the price of its breakfast, lunch and other big deals rose in May. She said: “Our prices are in a good place and we will now be working hard to protect the consumer and making sure that we can offer that value throughout the rest of the year.”

Greggs reported a 7.2% rise in sales to £1.1billion, largely driven by the opening of 34 new stores.