Greggs to open 150 new stores this year – is one coming near you?

GREGGS is set to open 150 new branches this year, in good news for fans.

The bakery chain said it was aiming to launch the new shops after opening a record 186 new stores in 2022.

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As of December 31, Greggs said it had 2,328 branches and eventually wants to have more than 3,000 stores across the UK.

It also extended opening hours for around 500 shops to 8pm or beyond in 2022.

It has meant customers are heading to stores for evening meals like low-cost pizzas and chicken goujons.

Roisin Currie, chief executive officer, said the company had an “exciting, ambitious plan” for the years ahead.

“By continuing to nurture what makes Greggs special, I believe we are extremely well-placed to realise the opportunity to become a significantly larger, multi-channel business,” she said.

We have approached Greggs to find out the full list of locations where stores will open and will update this story once we’ve heard back.

It comes after the bakery chain revealed its sales jumped by nearly a quarter in 2022 as consumers opted for low-cost meals due to a higher cost of living.

It reported total sales of £1.5billion over the year, a 23% increase on the £1.2billion reported in 2021.

Roisin Currie added: “2022 has been a year of strong progress for Greggs, the result of committed efforts to deliver our strategic growth plan.

“The significant opportunities on which the plan is based will remain centre stage in the year ahead as we make Greggs more accessible to even more customers.

“Although consumer incomes remain under pressure, Greggs continues to offer exceptional value to people looking for great tasting, high-quality food and drink on the go.”

It comes after Greggs axed hot cross buns from its menus before Easter.

A spokesperson said other Easter favourites would be landing in stores in the coming weeks though.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk