Greene King has unveiled its strategy to introduce 30 new franchise pubs this year. The pub chain recently achieved a significant milestone by reaching 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs.
In 2025, Greene King Pub Partners launched 30 new franchise pubs, including the debut of the Belhaven brand in Scotland. Looking ahead to 2026, the company will extend its franchise footprint to Wales and the Southwest of England with a series of new establishments.
Among the confirmed locations for this year are Millwrights in Aylesbury, The Freemasons Arms in Wigan, and The Flag Inn in Egerton.
Noteworthy franchise openings in 2025 included The Tarbet in Edinburgh, the first Greene King franchise pub in Scotland following a £285,000 renovation. Additionally, The Dolphin in Melbourn and the Two Poplars in Wokingham were revamped into Hive pubs after investments of £570,000 and £450,000, respectively.
Penelope Bruce, Pub Partners Franchise Operations Director, expressed enthusiasm about reaching the milestone of 100 franchise pubs and highlighted the continuous growth of their franchise offerings. The company’s plans include expanding into Wales in 2026 with the opening of 30 more franchise pubs.
Dan Robinson, Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, commended the ongoing success of their franchise business, which complements their thriving leased and tenanted pub business.
In a recent promotion, Greene King offered free pints of Guinness during 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, including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven, as part of the Fans Reunited campaign led by Rugby World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, highlighted the Fans Reunited campaign’s aim to celebrate the role of sports and pub culture in fostering connections among people. The initiative, launched in conjunction with the Guinness Six Nations, aimed to bring old friends together over a pint and encourage reconnections in the spirit of the game.