Greggs, the popular UK bakery chain, has unveiled plans to open 150 new stores across the country and trial 24-hour drive-thru locations, as it posted a significant increase in sales and profits,

despite the challenges of rising costs. The low-priced food chain, famous for its sausage rolls, also intends to relocate 40 stores to larger sites and refurbish a further 150 stores this year, responding to the robust demand for its affordable meals amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Greggs’ 2022 sales increased by 23% to £1.5 billion, with pre-tax profits rising by 1.9% to £148 million. The company's margins, however, were squeezed by the rising cost of ingredients, energy, and staff. Nonetheless, Greggs had a strong start to 2023, with sales climbing by 19% in the first nine weeks of its new financial year.

Currently, the bakery chain has 2,328 shops across the UK, but it aims to grow to more than 3,000 UK locations "in time." In 2022, Greggs opened a record 186 new shops while closing 39, with new chains opening in transport hubs like Liverpool Street station, and Birmingham and Liverpool Airports. Additionally, it extended opening hours for around 500 shops to 8 pm or beyond, which led to a wave of demand for hot evening meals like pizzas and chicken goujons. Photo by N3ws0fa, Wikimedia commons.