Greene King has revealed its intention to launch 30 new franchise pubs this year. The company recently achieved a significant milestone of operating 100 franchise pubs under its Hive and Nest concept.
In the year 2025, Greene King Pub Partners introduced 30 new franchise pubs, marking its entry into Scotland with the Belhaven brand. Looking ahead to 2026, Greene King plans to extend its franchise operations to Wales and the Southwest of England through a series of new pub openings.
Confirmed locations for this year’s expansion include Millwrights in Aylesbury, The Freemasons Arms in Wigan, and The Flag Inn in Egerton.
Among the new franchise pubs opened in 2025 were The Tarbet in Edinburgh, which underwent a £285,000 refurbishment to become Greene King’s first franchise pub in Scotland. Additionally, The Dolphin in Melbourn was reopened as a Hive pub after a £570,000 investment, and the Two Poplars in Wokingham debuted following a £450,000 transformation.
Penelope Bruce, the Director of Franchise Operations at Pub Partners, expressed excitement about reaching 100 franchise pubs and highlighted the continuous growth of their franchise offerings. The company is actively seeking experienced pub managers interested in running their own establishments.
Dan Robinson, the Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, praised the ongoing expansion of the franchise business, emphasizing its positive impact on their overall pub operations.
As part of a promotional campaign, Greene King offered free pints of Guinness during the kickoff of the Six Nations rugby tournament. To claim a free pint, patrons needed to reserve a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 through the Greene King website. This offer was available at various Greene King sports pubs, including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven.
Zoe Bowley, the Managing Director for Greene King pubs, discussed the “Fans Reunited” campaign, which aims to celebrate the camaraderie of sports and pub culture by offering fans a free pint. The initiative, supported by rugby legends Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson, encourages people to reconnect over a pint while enjoying sports events.
Overall, Greene King’s expansion of franchise pubs, along with its promotional efforts, reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing the pub experience for its customers.