Greene King has revealed its intention to launch 30 new franchise pubs this year. The company has achieved a significant milestone by reaching 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs.
In 2025, Greene King Pub Partners introduced 30 new franchise pubs, with the brand expanding to Scotland for the first time under the Belhaven label. The company is set to broaden its franchise operations to Wales and the Southwest of England in 2026 with 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.
In 2025, Greene King franchise pubs were established, including The Tarbet in Edinburgh, the first Greene King franchise pub in Scotland following a £285,000 renovation. The Dolphin in Melbourn was reopened as a Hive pub after a £570,000 investment, and the Two Poplars in Wokingham debuted after a £450,000 makeover.
Penelope Bruce, Pub Partners Franchise Operations Director, expressed excitement over reaching 100 franchise pubs and highlighted the continuous growth of their franchise offer. Plans are in place to launch in Wales in 2026 and open 30 more franchise pubs.
Dan Robinson, Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, expressed delight at the ongoing expansion of their franchise business, which complements their successful leased and tenanted pub business.
Greene King recently gave away free pints of Guinness during 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 via the Greene King website. This offer was available at all Greene King sports pubs, including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven, as part of the Fans Reunited campaign endorsed by Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, emphasized the role of sport and the pub environment in bringing people together through the Fans Reunited initiative. By offering a free pint during the Guinness Six Nations, Greene King aims to facilitate reconnections among fans and create shared experiences over a pint.
