Greene King has outlined its strategy to introduce 30 new franchise pubs this year. The company has recently achieved a significant milestone of operating 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs.
In the previous year, Greene King Pub Partners launched 30 fresh franchise pubs, marking the entry into Scotland under the Belhaven brand for the first time. Looking ahead to 2026, Greene King plans to extend its franchise operations into Wales and the Southwest of England with a series of upcoming openings.
Among the confirmed locations for this year are Millwrights in Aylesbury, The Freemasons Arms in Wigan, and The Flag Inn in Egerton. Noteworthy franchise pub additions in 2025 included The Tarbet in Edinburgh, the first Greene King franchise pub in Scotland following a £285,000 renovation.
Penelope Bruce, Director of Franchise Operations at Pub Partners, expressed excitement about reaching the milestone of 100 franchise pubs and emphasized the continuous growth of their franchise offer. The company is actively seeking applicants to manage the pubs in their pipeline.
Dan Robinson, Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, commended the ongoing success of their franchise business, which complements their existing leased and tenanted pub business. Additionally, Greene King recently distributed complimentary pints of Guinness to coincide with the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament.
To claim a free pint, patrons had to reserve a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 through the Greene King website. This promotion was available at all Greene King sports pubs, including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven, as part of the Fans Reunited campaign led by rugby legends Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, highlighted the role of sport and the pub ambiance in uniting people. The Fans Reunited initiative aims to bring old friends together over a pint during the Guinness Six Nations, fostering connections through shared experiences.