Greene King has announced that it has reached a major milestone of 100 franchise pubs, just four years after launching its first franchise site in 2021. The pub company has also confirmed plans to expand its franchise operations into Wales for the first time in 2026.
The achievement reflects strong growth across the company’s Hive Pubs and Nest Pubs franchise concepts, operated through its Greene King Pub Partners division.
Rapid Franchise Growth Since 2021
Greene King launched its first franchise pub under the Hive Pubs brand in late 2021, followed by the introduction of Nest Pubs in 2024. Since then, the business has expanded rapidly, building a nationwide network of franchise operators.
In 2025 alone, Greene King Pub Partners opened 30 new franchise pubs, including its first locations in Scotland under the Belhaven Brewery brand.
Notable openings included:
- The Tarbet, Edinburgh (£285,000 refurbishment)
- The Dolphin, Melbourn (£570,000 investment)
- Two Poplars, Wokingham (£450,000 transformation)
30 New Openings Planned for 2026
Building on this momentum, Greene King has confirmed plans to open 30 more franchise pubs in 2026, focusing on further growth across England and new expansion into Wales and the South West.
Sites already scheduled for early 2026 include:
- Millwrights, Aylesbury
- Freemasons Arms, Wigan
- Flag Inn, Egerton
To support this expansion, the company is strengthening its franchise support structure, including the recruitment of two new Business Development Managers and the promotion of an Operations Manager to lead a team of five.
Low-Cost Entry for Aspiring Franchisees
Greene King’s franchise model offers an accessible route into pub ownership, with entry costs starting from £3,000. This covers agreement fees, induction and on-site training.
Franchisees earn a percentage of food and drink sales, with additional opportunities through profit-sharing and performance-related bonuses.
The business is actively recruiting experienced pub managers and operators looking to run their own pub within an established framework.
More details are available at: www.greenekingpubpartners.co.uk
Leadership Commentary
Penelope Bruce Pub Partners Franchise Operations Director, said:
“We are over the moon to have reached 100 franchise pubs. Just over four years after launching our first Hive Pub, our franchise offer continues to grow. After expanding into Scotland, we are excited to launch in Wales in 2026.”
She added that the company continues to see strong interest from experienced managers seeking to run their own business.
Dan Robinson, Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, said:
“The continued growth of our franchise business complements our successful leased and tenanted estate and strengthens our overall pub portfolio.”
About Greene King
Founded in 1799, Greene King operates around 2,600 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland. The group employs approximately 40,000 people and operates through three core divisions: Greene King Pubs, Destination Brands & Ventures, and Brewing & Brands.
