Greene King has revealed its intention to launch 30 new franchise pubs this year, following the achievement of operating 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs.
In 2025, Greene King Pub Partners introduced 30 new franchise pubs, including the first under the Belhaven brand in Scotland. The company is now set to expand its franchise presence into Wales and the Southwest of England in 2026 through a series of new openings.
Among the confirmed locations for this year are Millwrights in Aylesbury, The Freemasons Arms in Wigan, and The Flag Inn in Egerton.
Notable franchise pub openings by Greene King in 2025 include The Tarbet in Edinburgh, the premier Greene King franchise pub in Scotland post a £285,000 refurbishment. Additionally, The Dolphin in Melbourn and the Two Poplars in Wokingham were reopened as Hive pubs after investments of £570,000 and £450,000, respectively.
Penelope Bruce, Pub Partners Franchise Operations Director, expressed excitement over reaching 100 franchise pubs and the continuous growth of their franchise offering. Plans are underway to launch in Wales in 2026, in addition to opening 30 more franchise pubs.
Dan Robinson, Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, expressed delight in the ongoing expansion of their franchise business, which complements their successful leased and tenanted pub business.
In a related development, Greene King offered free pints of Guinness last weekend as the Six Nations rugby tournament commenced. 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 offer was valid at all Greene King sports pubs, including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven, as part of the new Fans Reunited campaign led by Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, highlighted the significance of fans coming together through sport and the pub atmosphere, aiming to facilitate reunions over a shared pint during the Guinness Six Nations.
The initiative, supported by rugby legends, seeks to encourage people to reconnect with old acquaintances and relish the joy of the game together.