'Better than ever' Greggs targets 3000 stores

A national bakery chain is eyeing hundreds more shop openings after racking up record £2 billion sales.

Greggs says it sees “clear opportunity” to expand its 2600-store estate to “significantly more than 3000”.

The Newcastle-headquartered sausage roll maker unveiled the blueprint after total sales rose more than 11 per cent to a best-ever £2 billion in 2024.

Pre-tax profit was more than eight per cent better off at £203.9 million.

The results come after the business - which is targeting up to 150 net store openings in 2025 - warned over higher prices to mitigate rising employment costs.

Bosses say its progress across 2024 was aided by the opening of a record 226 new stores and continued clamour for its breakfast offer - which features savoury rolls and porridges - pizza deals and a recently introduced over-ice drinks range.

The firm also benefited from established partnerships with online delivery operators Just Eat and Uber Eats, with nearly ten million orders logged digitally across 2024.

Hailing the progress of the company, which began life selling eggs and yeast to North East families from a bicycle in the 1930s, chief executive Roisin Currie said it is in “better shape than ever”.

She said: “In 2021, we set our sights on doubling sales by 2026 and having a significantly bigger business over the longer term.

“Three years into this five-year plan, sales are on track and we continue to be confident in the growth opportunity in front of us.

“The brand is in better shape than ever, with a material opportunity to continue growing and developing the estate, and plenty of scope to continue to grow in newer dayparts and channels.”

She added the firm’s momentum will be strengthened by supply chain moves, with a Derby-based frozen product making and distribution hub planned to open in 2026 and a new national distribution centre, in Kettering, Northamptonshire, earmarked for mid-2027.

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