Greene King has revealed its strategy to launch 30 new franchise pubs within the current year. The company recently achieved a significant milestone by reaching a total of 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs.
In 2025, Greene King Pub Partners introduced 30 new franchise pubs, including the debut of the Belhaven brand in Scotland. Looking ahead to 2026, Greene King plans to expand its franchise presence into Wales and the Southwest of England through 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.
During 2025, Greene King successfully established The Tarbet in Edinburgh as its first franchise pub in Scotland after a refurbishment costing £285,000. Additionally, The Dolphin in Melbourn was reopened as a Hive pub following a £570,000 investment, and the Two Poplars in Wokingham was transformed and opened after a £450,000 renovation.
Penelope Bruce, the Pub Partners Franchise Operations Director, expressed excitement about reaching the milestone of 100 franchise pubs, emphasizing the continuous growth of their franchise offer. She highlighted the company’s plans to expand into Wales in 2026, welcoming applications from experienced pub managers interested in running their own pub business.
Dan Robinson, the Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, commended the ongoing growth of the franchise business, noting its positive impact alongside the leased and tenanted pub business.
In a related development, Greene King recently distributed complimentary pints of Guinness 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 promotion was available at various Greene King sports pubs, including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven, as part of the new Fans Reunited campaign featuring Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, the Managing Director for Greene King pubs, underscored the significance of sport and pub culture in uniting people, emphasizing the initiative’s aim to bring fans together over a pint and create memorable experiences during sports events.