Greggs confirms plans to open 120 new UK stores – as it makes £800m announcement
It comes as the bakery chain is set to open its first overseas branch later this month.
Greggs has confirmed plans for around 120 net openings across the UK this year. The popular bakery chain has reported a 7.5% increase in total sales so far in 2026, amounting to around £800 million, following 41 shop openings.
Greggs now operates a total of 2,759 sites and will open a bakery at Tenerife South Airport later this month, serving Spanish Omelette Rolls and fresh orange juice. In an update on Tuesday morning (May 12), the company said total sales increased in the first 19 weeks of the year following 20 net openings and the launch of the Chicken Roll in April. Meanwhile, 41 Greggs bakeries opened in this time, including 17 with franchise partners.
As reported by the Business Desk, the bakery is now pushing towards a target of 3,000 stores with 120 net openings expected in 2026. They are also developing a new frozen product manufacturing and logistics facility in Derby as well as a new National Distribution Centre in Kettering.
The report said: "In the year to date we have closed 21 shops (including 11 relocations), resulting in a total of 2,759 shops trading as at 9 May (comprising 2,141 company-managed shops and 618 franchised units). We continue to target around 120 net openings for the full year."
Greggs added: "We expect to deliver good first half profit progress, with the operational costs associated with our new Derby site primarily impacting the second half of 2026, as previously guided. The Board’s expectations for the full year outcome remain unchanged."
Despite being vulnerable to price inflation, Greggs added it is coping well in the current uncertain economic environment. The company added: "Our value offer remains highly attractive as customers look to make their money go further."
Greggs will open its first oversea branch in Tenerife later in May, offering British tourists "a slice of home". The store will include seating for up to 92 customers.
Located in the departures area of the airport, Greggs said the bakery would offer customers "the perfect way to round off a trip without breaking the bank." It comes after the success of Wetherspoon which opened its first pub in Europe at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport last December.
