Greene King has unveiled plans to launch 30 new franchise pubs in the coming year. The pub group recently achieved a significant milestone by reaching 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs.
In the previous year, Greene King Pub Partners introduced 30 new franchise pubs, marking its expansion into Scotland with the Belhaven brand. This year, the company is set to extend its franchise operations into Wales and the Southwest of England with a series of new openings.
Among the confirmed locations for the upcoming year are Millwrights in Aylesbury, The Freemasons Arms in Wigan, and The Flag Inn in Egerton.
In 2025, Greene King franchise pubs such as The Tarbet in Edinburgh, The Dolphin in Melbourn, and the Two Poplars in Wokingham were opened following substantial investments in refurbishments.
Penelope Bruce, Pub Partners Franchise Operations Director, expressed delight at reaching 100 franchise pubs and highlighted the continued growth of their franchise offer. The company aims to launch in Wales in 2026, attracting interest from experienced pub managers seeking to venture into running their own pub business.
Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, Dan Robinson, expressed satisfaction with the steady growth of their franchise business, which complements their leased and tenanted pub business.
Greene King recently offered free pints of Guinness during the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament. To claim a free pint, patrons had to book a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 through the Greene King website. The promotion was available at all Greene King sports pubs as part of the Fans Reunited campaign, endorsed by Rugby World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, emphasized the role of sports and the pub environment in uniting people, especially during events like the Guinness Six Nations. The Fans Reunited initiative aims to bring old friends together over a pint and encourage connections through shared sports experiences.
